UBC Faculty Research and Publications

Endovascular graft treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms Bassett, Kenneth, 1952-; Morris, Veronica; Chambers, Keith; Fry, Peter; Foerster, Victoria; Fatin, Neil

Abstract

Endovascular graft (EVG) treatment whereby a graft is inserted through the femoral artery to repair infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has potential advantages for patients and the health care system. Patients may avoid the significant morbidity and mortality associated with current major abdominal surgery techniques utilized in the treatment of AAA. The health care system may benefit from saving operating room resources and reduced hospital utilization because this procedure requires less intraoperative and post-operative time. Cardiovascular surgeons at the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre and in Victoria have requested funding for this procedure. The Vancouver Hospital request asked the Acute and Continuing Care Division of the BC Ministry of Health to fund EVG placement in patients with AAA that have a high incidence of fatal rupture, who are considered too frail for open abdominal resection and have no other treatment option. The BC Ministry of Health agreed, on compassionate grounds, to fund 18 EVGs (not includind out of province cases) in inoperable patients with life-threatening aneurysms. The cardiovascular surgeons and radiologists working in the Capital Health Region in Victoria, in contrast to the initial request to the BC Ministry of Health, asked for a more general application of EVGs beyond otherwise inoperable patients. The doctors in the Capital Health Region proposed EVGs as a substitute for open abdominal resection for patients considered suitable for this procedure.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada