How many patients with infrarenal aneurysms are candidates for endovascular repair? The Northern California experience.

PURPOSE To determine how many patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) meet the anatomical selection criteria for AneuRx stent-graft repair in community hospitals of Northern California. METHODS The records were reviewed of 220 AAA patients (171 men, 49 women) who were considered for endovascular repair by the treating vascular surgeon at 28 community hospitals in Northern California between January and October 2001. Contrast computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and selective arteriography were performed at each institution and reviewed by a centralized, independent image-reading center. Selection criteria determined by the manufacturer and published in the indications for use were applied to each set of imaging studies. The number of patients who met inclusion criteria were recorded, as were the anatomical characteristics of each aneurysm. RESULTS The mean aneurysm size in the 220 patients was 55.3 +/- 0.7 mm. Among these patients, 122 (55%) were judged to be candidates for endovascular repair and 98 (45%) were considered ineligible. The primary anatomical reason for ineligibility was a short infrarenal neck in 43 (44%) patients, followed by a large proximal neck diameter (25, 25%), iliac aneurysms (10, 10%), extremely tortuous or calcified neck (7, 7%), iliac occlusion (6, 6%), and small distal aortic bifurcation and accessory renal arteries (5, 5%). Four (4%) patients were classified as non-candidates due to poor quality imaging. There was no difference in aneurysm diameter (54.0 +/- 0.8 versus 57.1 +/- 1.2 mm, p=NS) or age (72.2 +/- 1.2 versus 74.6 +/- 2.2 years, p=NS) between candidates and non-candidates. However, proportionally more men (60%) than women (39%) were eligible for endovascular repair with the AneuRx stent-graft (p<0.05). All 122 patients who were considered candidates for endovascular repair were treated, with successful stent-graft placement achieved in 121 (99%). CONCLUSIONS Fifty-five percent of patients considered for endovascular AAA repair in community hospitals in Northern California met the anatomical selection criteria for the AneuRx stent-graft. Men appeared to be twice as likely to meet the eligibility requirements as women. Unfavorable infrarenal neck anatomy was the primary exclusion criterion for endovascular repair in this community setting.