Western Vascular Society guidelines for transfer of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Introduction: When a patient with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) presents at a facility ill-equipped to provide care, transfer may provide the best chance for survival. Large distances and long travel times provide challenging barriers to prompt and appropriate care in the western United States. Methods: The Western Vascular Society (WVS) adopted a set of guidelines in considering transfer of a patient with an rAAA using published literature, membership survey and input, and existing recommendations. This article reports the guidelines and describes the process and rationale behind their development. Results: Fifteen guidelines for transfer and care of rAAAs were endorsed by the WVS. Conclusions: When local care cannot be provided, transfer guidelines may standardize care for rAAAs and may be applicable across may practice settings.