Validation of the VASCUNET registry - pilot study

Background: VASCUNET is an international registry of vascular surgical (open and endovascular) procedures since 1997. The aim of this paper is to describe a pilot validation performed at three hospitals in Hungary in September 2012. Patients and methods: Three core indications were checked: abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease and limb ischemia with infrainguinal treatment. Results: 2439 registered procedures had been reported with between 94 and 109 per cent agreement with hospital administrative numbers. In a random sample of 29 patients the VASCUNET data were compared with the patient records regarding risk factors, procedures performed and in hospital results. Only few discrepancies were found. Conclusions: The conclusions are that validation is feasible, that this pilot project in Hungary showed good agreement between registry and local patient records. For a registry to be accepted and used both for practical and scientific purposes regular validation by senior surgeons should be undertaken and the vascular surgical community must have a budget for such a process.