Matched-pair analysis of endovascular versus open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in young patients at low risk

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of endovascular and open aortic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in young patients at low risk. It was hypothesized that endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) compares favorably with open aneurysm repair (OAR) in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients aged 65 years or younger with a low perioperative surgical risk profile underwent EVAR at a single institution between April 1994 and May 2007 (23 men; mean age, 62 years +/- 2.8). A sex- and risk-matched control group of 25 consecutive patients aged 65 years or younger who underwent OAR was used as a control group (23 men; mean age, 59 years +/- 3.9). Patient outcomes and complications were classified according to Society of Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery reporting standards. RESULTS: Mean follow-up times were 7.1 years +/- 3.2 after EVAR and 5.9 years +/- 1.8 after OAR (P =.1020). Total complication rates were 20% after EVAR and 52% after OAR (P =.0378), and all complications were mild or moderate. Mean intensive care unit times were 0.2 days +/- 0.4 after EVAR and 1.1 days +/- 0.4 after OAR (P <.0001) and mean lengths of hospital stay were 2.3 days 1.0 after EVAR and 5.0 days +/- 2.1 after OAR (P <.0001). Cumulative rates of long-term patient survival did not differ between EVAR and OAR (P =.144). No AAA-related deaths or aortoiliac ruptures occurred during follow-up for EVAR and OAR. In addition, no surgical conversions were necessary in EVAR recipients. Cumulative rates of freedom from secondary procedures were not significantly different between the EVAR and OAR groups (P =.418). Within a multivariable Cox proportional-hazards analysis adjusted for patient age, maximum AAA diameter, and cardiac risk score, all-cause mortality rates (odds ratio [OR], 0.125; 95% CI, 0.010-1.493; P =.100) and need for secondary procedures (OR, 5.014; 95% CI, 0.325-77.410; P =.537) were not different between EVAR and OAR. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this observational study indicate that EVAR offers a favorable alternative to OAR in young patients at low risk.