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3 4 The Care of Patients with an Abdominal : 5 The Society for Practice Guidelines 6

7 Elliot L. Chaikof, MD, PhD,1,* Ronald L. Dalman, MD,2 Mark K. Eskandari, MD,3 8 Benjamin M. Jackson, MD,4 W. Anthony Lee, MD,5 M. Ashraf Mansour, MD,6 9 Tara M. Mastracci, MD,7 Matthew Mell, MD,2 M. Hassan Murad, MD, MPH,8 10 Louis L. Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH,9 11 Gustavo S. Oderich, MD,10 Madhukar S. Patel, MD, MBA, ScM, 1,11 12 Marc Schermerhorn, MD, MPH,1 and Benjamin W. Starnes, MD12 13 14 1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 15 2Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 16 3Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 17 4Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 18 5Christine E. Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Boca Raton, FL, 19 6Department of Surgery, Spectrum Health Medical Group, Grand Rapids, MI, 20 7The Royal Free Hospital, London, UK, 21 8Evidence-based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 22 9Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 23 10Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 24 11Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 25 12Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 *Address correspondence to: 33 Elliot L. Chaikof, M.D., Ph.D. 34 Department of Surgery 35 Harvard Medical School 36 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 37 110 Francis St, Suite 9F 38 Boston, MA 02115 39 Tel: (617) 632-9581 40 E-mail: [email protected] 41 2

Table of Contents

SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES FOR THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH AN 6 ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM 19 Purpose of these guidelines 19 Methodology and evidence 19 Literature search and evidence summary 20 GENERAL APPROACH TO THE PATIENT 21 History and risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysms 21 Physical examination 24 Assessment of medical comorbidities 25 Preoperative evaluation of cardiac risk 25 Preoperative coronary 27 Perioperative medical management of coronary disease 29 Pulmonary disease 30 Renal insufficiency 31 Diabetes mellitus 34 Hematologic disorders 35 Biomarkers and heritable risks for an abdominal aortic aneurysm 36 Biomarkers for the presence and expansion of an aortic aneurysm 36 Genetic markers identifying risk of aortic aneurysm 37 Aneurysm imaging 38 Modalities for aneurysm imaging 38 Prediction of aneurysm expansion and rupture risk 40 Recommendations for aneurysm screening 41 Recommendations for aneurysm surveillance 45 Recommendations for imaging the symptomatic patient 47 TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT WITH AN AAA 47 The decision to treat 47 Medical management during the period of AAA surveillance 50 Timing for intervention 51 Assessment of operative risk and life expectancy 53

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Endovascular aneurysm repair 55 Considerations for percutaneous repair 55 Infrarenal fixation 56 Suprarenal fixation 56 Management of the internal iliac artery 57 Management of associated vascular disease 59 Perioperative outcomes of elective EVAR 60 Incidence of 30-day and in-hospital mortality 60 Perioperative morbidity 61 Endoleak 62 Access site complications 62 Acute limb thrombosis 63 Post-implantation syndrome 63 Ischemic colitis 63 Role of elective EVAR in the high-risk and unfit patient 63 Open surgical repair 64 Indications 64 Surgical approach 65 Aortic clamping 66 Graft type and configuration 68 Maintenance of pelvic circulation 70 Management of associated intra-abdominal vascular disease 71 Management of associated intra-abdominal nonvascular disease 72 Perioperative outcomes of open AAA repair 72 The patient with a ruptured aneurysm 74 Preoperative management and considerations for patient transfer 74 Systems of care and time goals for intervention 76 Initial operative management 78 Role of EVAR 79 Management of postoperative complications 80 Abdominal compartment syndrome 80 Ischemic colitis 80 Multi-system organ failure 81 Special considerations 81

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Inflammatory aneurysm 81 Horseshoe kidney 81 Aortocaval fistula 82

ANESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS AND PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT 82 Choice of anesthetic technique and agent 82 Anesthetic considerations in the patient with a ruptured aneurysm 84 Antibiotic prophylaxis 84 Intraoperative fluid resuscitation and blood conservation 85 Cardiovascular monitoring 86 Maintenance of body temperature 88 Role of the intensive care unit 88 Nasogastric decompression and perioperative 89 Prophylaxis for deep thrombosis 90 Postoperative blood transfusion 91 Perioperative pain management 92 POSTOPERATIVE AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT 93 Late outcomes 93 Endoleak 93 Type I endoleak 93 Type II endoleak 94 Type III endoleak 95 Type IV endoleak 95 Endotension 95 Device migration 96 Limb occlusion 97 Graft infection 99 Incisional hernia 102 Para-anastomotic aneurysm 102 Recommendation for postoperative surveillance 104 Surveillance imaging modality 105 Surveillance outcomes 105 Summary 105 COST AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN ANEURYSM REPAIR 107

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CARE OF THE PATIENT WITH AN AAA: AREAS IN NEED OF FUTURE 109 RESEARCH REFERENCES 112 APPENDIX: SEARCH STRATEGY 189 42

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44 SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES FOR THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH AN ABDOMINAL 45 AORTIC ANEURYSM 46 Physical examination

In patients with a suspected or known abdominal aortic aneurysm, we recommend performing physical examination that includes an assessment of femoral and popliteal .

In patients with a popliteal or femoral artery aneurysm, we recommend evaluation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Assessment of medical comorbidities

In patients with active cardiac conditions, including unstable angina, decompensated heart failure, severe valvular disease, or significant arrhythmia, we recommend cardiology consultation prior to EVAR or OSR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence High

In patients with significant clinical risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency and an unknown or poor functional capacity (MET < 4) who are to undergo OSR or EVAR, we suggest noninvasive stress testing. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

We recommend a preoperative resting 12-lead ECG in all patients undergoing EVAR or OSR within 30 days of planned treatment. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend echocardiography prior to planned operative repair in patients with dyspnea of unknown origin or worsening dyspnea. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest coronary revascularization prior to aneurysm repair in patients with acute ST- or non-ST elevation MI, unstable angina, or stable angina with left main coronary artery or three- vessel disease. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest coronary revascularization prior to aneurysm repair in patients with stable angina and two-vessel disease that includes the proximal left descending artery and either on non-invasive stress testing or reduced LV function (EF < 50%). Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

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In patients who may need aneurysm repair in the subsequent 12 months and in whom percutaneous coronary intervention is indicated, we suggest a strategy of balloon or bare metal placement, followed by four to six weeks of dual-antiplatelet therapy. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence High

We suggest deferring elective aneurysm repair for 30 days after bare metal stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery, if clinical circumstances permit. As an alternative, EVAR may be performed with uninterrupted continuation of dual-antiplatelet therapy. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest deferring open aneurysm repair for at least 6 months after drug-eluting coronary stent placement or, alternatively, performing EVAR with continuation of dual-antiplatelet therapy. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

In patients with a drug-eluting coronary stent requiring open aneurysm repair, we recommend discontinuing P2Y12 platelet receptor-inhibitor therapy 10 days preoperatively with continuation of aspirin. The P2Y12 inhibitor should be restarted as soon as possible after surgery. The relative risks and benefits of perioperative bleeding and stent thrombosis should be discussed with the patient. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest continuation of beta-blocker therapy during the perioperative period, if part of an established medical regimen. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

If a decision was made to start beta-blocker therapy (due to the presence of multiple risk factors such as coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, and diabetes); we suggest initiation well in advance of surgery to allow sufficient time to assess safety and tolerability. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest preoperative pulmonary function studies, including room air arterial blood gases, in patients with a history of symptomatic COPD, long-standing tobacco use, or inability to climb one flight of stairs. Level of recommendation: Weak Quality of evidence Low

We recommend smoking cessation for at least two weeks prior to aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Low

We suggest administration of pulmonary bronchodilators for at least two weeks prior to aneurysm repair in patients with a history of COPD or abnormal pulmonary function testing. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

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We suggest holding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists on the morning of surgery and restarting these agents after the procedure once euvolemia has been achieved. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We recommend preoperative hydration in non-dialysis dependent patients with renal insufficiency prior to aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend pre- and post-procedure hydration with normal saline or 5% dextrose/sodium bicarbonate for patients at increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy undergoing EVAR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend holding metformin at the time of contrast administration among patients with an eGFR of < 60 mL/min or up to 48 hours before contrast administration, if the eGFR is < 45 mL/min. Level of recommendation: Strong Quality of evidence Low

We recommend restarting metformin no sooner than 48 hours after contrast administration as long as renal function has remained stable (< 25% increase in creatinine above baseline). Level of recommendation: Strong Quality of evidence Low

We recommend perioperative transfusion of packed red blood cells if the hemoglobin level is less than 7 g/dL. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest hematologic assessment if the preoperative platelet count is less than 150,000/μL. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Aneurysm imaging

We recommend using ultrasound, when feasible, as the preferred imaging modality for aneurysm screening and surveillance. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest that the maximum aneurysm diameter derived from CT imaging should be based on an outer-wall to outer-wall measurement perpendicular to the path of the . Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

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We recommend a one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in men or women 65-75 years of age with a history of tobacco use. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest ultrasound screening for AAA in first-degree relatives of patients who present with an AAA. Screening should be performed in first degree relatives who are between 65-75 years of age or in those over 75 years of age and in good health. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest a one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in men or women over 75 years of age with a history of tobacco use and in otherwise good health who have not previously received a screening ultrasound. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

If initial ultrasound screening identified an aortic diameter > 2.5 cm but less than 3 cm, we suggest re-screening after 10 years. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest surveillance imaging at three-year intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm between 3.0 and 3.9 cm. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest surveillance imaging at 12-month intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.0 to 4.9 cm in diameter. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest surveillance imaging at six-month intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm between 5.0 and 5.4 cm in diameter. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We recommend a CT scan to evaluate patients suspected to have AAA presenting with recent onset abdominal or back pain, particularly in the presence of a pulsatile epigastric mass or significant risk factors for AAA. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

The decision to treat

We suggest referral to a vascular surgeon at the time of initial diagnosis of an aortic aneurysm. Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

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We recommend repair for the patient who presents with an AAA and abdominal or back pain that is likely attributed to the aneurysm. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Low

We recommend elective repair for the patient at low or acceptable surgical risk with a fusiform AAA that is ≥ 5.5 cm. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest elective repair for the patient who presents with a saccular aneurysm. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest repair in women with abdominal aortic aneurysm between 5.0 cm and 5.4 cm in maximum diameter. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

In patients with a small aneurysm (4.0 cm to 5.4 cm) who will require chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or solid organ transplantation, we suggest a shared-decision making approach to decide about treatment options. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Medical management during the period of AAA surveillance

We recommend smoking cessation to reduce the risk of AAA growth and rupture. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest not administering statins, doxycycline, roxithromycin, ACE-inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers for the sole purpose of reducing the risk of AAA expansion and rupture. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest not administering beta-blocker therapy for the sole purpose of reducing the risk of AAA expansion and rupture. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

Timing for intervention

We recommend immediate repair for patients who present with a ruptured aneurysm. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

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Should repair of a symptomatic AAA be delayed to optimize co-existing medical conditions, we recommend that the patient be monitored in an ICU-setting with blood products available. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Low

Assessment of operative risk and life expectancy

We recommend informing patients contemplating open repair or EVAR of their VQI perioperative mortality risk score. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Endovascular aneurysm repair

We recommend preservation of flow to at least one internal iliac artery. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend using FDA approved branch endograft devices in anatomically suitable patients to maintain perfusion to at least one internal iliac artery. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend staging bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion by at least one to two weeks if required for EVAR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest renal artery or superior mesenteric angioplasty and stenting for selected patients with symptomatic disease prior to EVAR or OSR. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest prophylactic treatment of an asymptomatic, high-grade stenosis of the SMA in the presence of a meandering mesenteric artery based off of a large IMA, which will be sacrificed during the course of treatment. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest preservation of accessory renal arteries at the time of EVAR or OSR if the artery is 3 mm or larger in diameter or supplies more than one-third of the renal parenchyma. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

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Perioperative outcomes of elective EVAR

We suggest that elective EVAR be performed at centers with a volume of at least 10 EVAR cases each year and a documented perioperative mortality and conversion rate to OSR of 2% or less. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Role of elective EVAR in the high-risk and unfit patient

We suggest informing high-risk patients of their VQI perioperative mortality risk score in order to make an informed decision to proceed with aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Open surgical repair

We recommend a retroperitoneal approach for patients requiring open surgical repair of an inflammatory aneurysm, horseshoe kidney, or an aortic aneurysm in the presence of a hostile . Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Low

We suggest a retroperitoneal exposure or a transperitoneal approach with a transverse abdominal incision for patients with significant pulmonary disease requiring open surgical repair. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We recommend a thrombin inhibitor, such as Bivalirudin or Argatroban as an alternative to heparin for patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We recommend straight tube grafts for open surgical repair of AAA in the absence of significant disease of the iliac arteries. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend performing the proximal aortic anastomosis as close to the renal arteries as possible. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend that all portions of an aortic graft be excluded from direct contact with the intestinal contents of the peritoneal cavity. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

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We recommend reimplantation of a patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) under circumstances that suggest an increased risk of colonic ischemia. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend preserving blood flow to at least one hypogastric artery in the course of OSR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We suggest concomitant surgical treatment of other visceral arterial disease at the time of open surgical repair in symptomatic patients who are not candidates for catheter-based intervention. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest concomitant surgical repair of an AAA and co-existent cholecystitis or an intraabdominal tumor in patients who are not candidates for EVAR or staged intervention. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Perioperative outcomes of open AAA repair

We suggest that elective OSR for AAA be performed at centers with an annual volume of at least 10 open aortic operations of any type and a documented perioperative mortality of 5% or less. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

The patient with a ruptured aneurysm

We suggest a door-to-intervention time of < 90 minutes, based on a 30-30-30 minute framework, for the management of the patient with a ruptured aneurysm. Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

An established protocol for the management of ruptured AAA is essential for optimal outcomes. Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

We recommend implementing hypotensive hemostasis with restriction of fluid resuscitation in the conscious patient. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest that patients with ruptured AAA who require transfer for repair, be referred to a facility with an established rupture protocol and suitable endovascular resources. Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

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If anatomically feasible, we recommend EVAR over open repair for treatment of a ruptured AAA. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Low

Choice of anesthetic technique and agent

We recommend general endotracheal anesthesia for patients undergoing open aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Antibiotic prophylaxis

We recommend intravenous administration of a first generation cephalosporin or, in the event of penicillin allergy, vancomycin, within 30 minutes prior to open surgical repair or EVAR. Prophylactic antibiotics should be continued for no more than 24 hours. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend that any potential sources of dental sepsis be eliminated at least 2 weeks before implantation an aortic prosthesis. Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

Intraoperative fluid resuscitation and blood conservation

We recommend using cell salvage or an ultrafiltration device if large blood loss is anticipated. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

If the intraoperative hemoglobin is less than 10 gm/dL and blood loss is ongoing, we recommend transfusion of packed blood cells along with fresh frozen plasma and platelets in a ratio of 1:1:1. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

Cardiovascular monitoring

We suggest using pulmonary artery catheters only if the likelihood for a major hemodynamic disturbance was high. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We recommend central venous access and arterial line monitoring in all patients undergoing open aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

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We recommend postoperative ST-segment monitoring for all patients undergoing open aneurysm repair and for those patients undergoing EVAR who are at high cardiac risk. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We recommend postoperative troponin measurement for all patients with ECG changes or chest pain after aneurysm repair. Levels of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Maintenance of body temperature

We recommend maintaining core body temperature at or above 36°C during aneurysm repair. Levels of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Role of the intensive care unit

We recommend postoperative management in an intensive care unit for the patient with significant cardiac, pulmonary or renal disease, as well as for those requiring postoperative mechanical ventilation or who developed a significant arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability during operative treatment. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Nasogastric decompression and perioperative

We recommend optimization of preoperative nutritional status prior to elective open aneurysm repair, if repair will not be unduly delayed. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend using nasogastric decompression intraoperatively for all patients undergoing open aneurysm repair, but postoperatively, only for those patients with nausea and abdominal distention. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend parenteral nutrition if a patient is unable to tolerate enteral support seven days after aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis

We recommend thromboprophylaxis that includes intermittent pneumatic compression and early ambulation for all patients undergoing OSR or EVAR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence High

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We suggest thromboprophylaxis with unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin for patients undergoing aneurysm repair at moderate to high risk for venous thromboembolism and low risk for bleeding. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Postoperative blood transfusion

In the absence of ongoing blood loss, we suggest a threshold for blood transfusion during or after aneurysm repair at a hemoglobin concentration of 7 gm/dL or below. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

Perioperative pain management

We recommend multimodality treatment, including epidural analgesia, for postoperative pain control after open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

Late outcomes

We recommend treatment of Type I endoleaks. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence Moderate

We suggest treatment of Type II endoleaks associated with aneurysm expansion. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of Evidence Low

We recommend surveillance of Type II endoleaks not associated with aneurysm expansion. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence Moderate

We recommend treatment of Type III endoleaks. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence Moderate

We suggest no treatment of Type IV endoleaks. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of Evidence Low

We recommend open repair if endovascular intervention fails to treat a Type I or III endoleak with ongoing aneurysm enlargement. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of Evidence Moderate

We suggest open repair if endovascular intervention fails to treat a Type II endoleak with ongoing aneurysm enlargement. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of Evidence Low

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We suggest treatment for ongoing aneurysm expansion, even in the absence of a visible endoleak. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of Evidence Low

We recommend that follow-up of patients after aneurysm repair include a thorough lower extremity pulse exam or ABI. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We recommend a prompt evaluation for possible graft limb occlusion if patients develop new onset lower extremity claudication, ischemia, or a reduction in ABI after aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent graft infection prior to any dental procedure involving the manipulation of the gingival or periapical region of teeth or perforation of the oral mucosa, including scaling and root canal procedures, for any patient with an aortic prosthesis, whether placed by open surgical repair or EVAR. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

We suggest antibiotic prophylaxis prior to respiratory tract procedures, gastrointestinal or genitorurinary procedures, dermatological or musculoskeletal procedures, for any patient with an aortic prosthesis, if the potential for infection exists or the patient is immunocompromised. Level of recommendation Good practice statement Quality of evidence Ungraded

After aneurysm repair, we recommend prompt evaluation for possible graft infection if a patient presents with generalized sepsis, groin drainage, pseudoaneurysm formation, or ill-defined pain. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

We recommend prompt evaluation for possible aortoenteric fistula in a patient presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding after aneurysm repair. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence High

In patients presenting with an infected graft in the presence of extensive contamination with gross purulence, we recommend extra-anatomic reconstruction followed by excision of all graft material along with aortic stump closure covered by an omental flap. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

In patients presenting with an infected graft with minimal contamination, we suggest in situ reconstruction with cryopresevered allograft. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

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In a stable patient presenting with an infected graft, we suggest in situ reconstruction with femoral vein after graft excision and debridement. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

In unstable patients with infected graft, we recommend in situ reconstruction with a silver or antibiotic impregnated graft, cryopreserved allograft, or a PTFE graft. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

Recommendation for postoperative surveillance

We recommend surveillance during the first year after EVAR using contrast enhanced CT at one month and in the absence of an endoleak or sac enlargement, contrast enhanced CT or color duplex sonographic imaging at 12 months. Level of recommendation Strong Quality of evidence Moderate

If a Type II endoleak is observed one month after EVAR, we suggest postoperative surveillance with contrast enhanced CT and color duplex sonographic imaging at six months. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Moderate

If neither endoleak nor AAA enlargement is observed one year after EVAR, we suggest color Duplex ultrasonography when feasible, or CT imaging if ultrasound is not possible, for annual surveillance. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

If a Type II endoleak is associated with an aneurysm sac that is shrinking or stable in size, we suggest color Duplex ultrasonography for continued surveillance at 6 month intervals for 24 months and then annually thereafter. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

If a new endoleak is detected, we suggest evaluation for a Type I or Type III endoleak. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

We suggest non-contrast CT imaging of the entire aorta at five-year intervals after open repair or EVAR. Level of recommendation Weak Quality of evidence Low

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48 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM

49 Purpose of these guidelines

50 The Clinical Practice Council of the Society for Vascular Surgery charged a writing

51 committee with the task of updating practice guidelines, initially published in 20031 and

52 subsequently updated in 20092, for surgeons and physicians who are involved in the

53 preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

54 (AAA). This document provides recommendations for evaluating the patient, including risk of

55 aneurysm rupture and associated medical co-morbidities, guidelines for intervention,

56 intraoperative strategies, perioperative care, long-term follow-up, and treatment of late

57 complications. Decision making related to the care of patients with AAA is complex.

58 Aneurysms present with varying risks of rupture and patient specific factors influence

59 anticipated life expectancy, operative risk, and the need to intervene. Careful attention to the

60 choice of operative strategy, as influenced by anatomic features of the AAA, along with optimal

61 treatment of medical co-morbidities is critical to achieving excellent outcomes. Moreover,

62 appropriate postoperative patient surveillance and timely intervention in the case of a late

63 complication is necessary to minimize subsequent aneurysm-related death or morbidity. All of

64 these clinical decisions are determined in an environment where cost-effectiveness will

65 ultimately dictate the ability to provide optimal care to the largest possible segment of the

66 population. Currently available clinical data sets have been reviewed in formulating these

67 recommendations. However, an important goal of this document is to clearly identify those

68 areas where further clinical research is necessary.

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70 Methodology and evidence

71 A comprehensive review of the available clinical evidence in the literature was

72 conducted in order to generate a concise set of recommendations. The strength of any given

73 recommendation and the quality of evidence was graded based on the GRADE approach.3

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74 The quality of evidence derived from randomized trials has an initial rating of high whereas

75 evidence derived from observational studies has an initial rating of low. GRADE domains are

76 then used to modify this initial rating; these domains include risk of bias, consistency of the

77 results across studies, directness of the populations and interventions of the studies to the

78 question at hand, precision of the estimates of effect and the size of the observed effect. When

79 the benefits of an intervention outweighed its risks, or, alternatively, risks outweighed benefits, a

80 strong recommendation was noted. However, if benefits and risks were less certain, either

81 because of low quality evidence or because high quality evidence suggests benefits and risks

82 are closely balanced, a weak recommendation was recorded. Guideline developers used the

83 terms “we recommend” to denote strong recommendations, whereas for weak

84 recommendations they used the less definitive wording “we suggest.” Thus, quality of

85 evidence was rated as high when additional research is considered very unlikely to change

86 confidence in the estimate of effect; moderate when further research is likely to have an

87 important impact in the estimate of effect; or low when further research is very likely to change

88 the estimate of the effect. On occasions, the guideline committee made good practice

89 statements; which are ungraded recommendations advising about performing certain actions

90 considered by surgeons to be essential for patient care and supported by only indirect evidence.

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92 Literature search and evidence summary

93 Three systematic reviews were conducted to support this guideline. Two focused on

94 evaluating the best modalities and optimal frequency for post EVAR surveillance. A third

95 umbrella systematic review (overview of reviews) was focused on identifying the best available

96 evidence on the diagnosis and management of AAA. The date range of this search was from

97 1996 to September 19th, 2016 and included Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed

98 Citations, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,

99 Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. The search strategy was

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100 designed and conducted by an experienced librarian with input from the guideline

101 methodologist. Controlled vocabulary supplemented with keywords was used to search for

102 meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials of diagnosis and therapy for abdominal aortic

103 aneurysm. The actual strategy is available as Appendix. This search yielded 1,206 references;

104 from which 29 evidence synthesis reports (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) were used to

105 grade the quality of evidence (Table 1) in various topics that relate to AAA such as screening,

106 diagnosis, surveillance and treatment.

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108 GENERAL APPROACH TO THE PATIENT

109 History and Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

110 The risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), as well as aneurysm enlargement and

111 rupture, for each patient and related family members, can be largely determined by a thorough

112 medical, family and social history. Abdominal aortic ultrasound screening studies obtained in the

113 United States between 2003 and 2008 were analyzed from more than three million men and

114 women, from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.4 Participants completed a

115 36-item questionnaire on demographic and medical, social and family history information, as

116 well as self-reported weight and height.

117 These data were used to generate a multivariable model for risk, which confirmed age

118 as the most significant risk factor for development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a

119 significant increase in risk between the ages of 65 to 69 years (Odds Ratio (OR) 5.4) and 75 to

120 79 years (OR 14.5). Consistent with prior estimates,5-9 an abdominal aortic aneurysm was more

121 likely among men (OR 5.7) and less common in Hispanic (OR 0.7), African American (OR 0.7)

122 and Asian Americans (OR 0.7).

123 This study also confirmed the close epidemiologic association of cigarette smoking and

124 aneurysmal disease. A smoking history of < 0.5 pack per day for up to 10 years carried a

125 significant increased risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (OR 2.6), which increased in a dose-

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126 dependent manner such that smoking more than 1 pack per day for greater than 35 years was

127 associated with a 12-fold increased risk (OR 12.1). Reduced risk was noted for smoking

128 cessation, diabetes mellitus, eating fruits and vegetables more than 3 times a week, and

129 exercise more than once a week. The protective effects of healthy diet and physical activity

130 have been confirmed in other reports.10-12 Increasing risk has also been noted with increased

131 salt intake,13 high blood pressure, concomitant peripheral arterial disease and cerebrovascular

132 disease, and a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm (Table 2).4

133 Given the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm-related risk factors in the United

134 States, the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, as defined by an aortic diameter greater

135 than 3 cm, was estimated at 1.4% among those between 50 and 84 years of age, or 1.1 million

136 adults. Importantly, these findings largely concur, and expand upon, prior prevalence and

137 association estimates derived from more homogenous populations such male military

138 veterans.14 First degree relatives of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm have an

139 approximately 20% likelihood of developing an AAA.15, 16

140 The association between cigarette smoking and AAA disease deserves special

141 emphasis.17 More than 90% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm have smoked

142 cigarettes at some point in their lifetime, and AAA is second only to lung cancer in epidemiologic

143 association to cigarette smoking – more closely associated than either cerebrovascular or

144 coronary artery disease.18 For patients with early aneurysmal disease, a recent meta-analysis

145 concluded that smoking increased the rate of aneurysm enlargement by 35%.19 Current

146 smokers are over seven times more likely to have an aneurysm than nonsmokers, with duration

147 of smoking the most important variable. Each year of smoking increases the relative risk of

148 developing an aneurysm by 4%.20 The decades-long decline in per capita cigarette

149 consumption in American adults has been paralleled by a similar decline in deaths from

150 ruptured AAA (Figure 1).21

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151 Estimates of the incidence of death from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm have

152 declined by more than 50% in the last twenty years, likely due to multiple factors including

153 declining cigarette consumption, increased public awareness of AAA disease, improved surgical

154 outcomes and access to treatment afforded by endovascular repair techniques, and general

155 improvement in management of cardiovascular disease risk factors.22-24 However, in countries

156 where cigarette consumption remains high or is increasing, aneurysm-related mortality

157 continues to increase.25 Although the risk of inhaled, vaporized nicotine from e-cigarettes and

158 similar nicotine delivery devices has yet to be determined, multiple investigations suggest that

159 exposure to nicotine alone may promote the development and progression of an abdominal

160 aortic aneurysm.26-28

161 Risk factors for rupture are also relevant when evaluating and managing patients with a

162 known or suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm. In the U.K. Small Aneurysm Trial, the annual

163 risk of rupture was 2.2%. Factors significantly and independently associated with rupture

164 included female gender, large initial aneurysm diameter, low forced expiratory volume in one

165 second (FEV1), current smoking history, and elevated mean blood pressure.29, 30 Multiple

166 studies have suggested that women are at greater risk for rupture,31, 32 as are patients receiving

167 immunomodulatory therapy following major organ transplantation.33-35 Women who smoke are

168 at high risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. In a recent Swedish population study, women

169 with a history of smoking of more than a 20 pack-years were nearly twice as likely to develop

170 AAA as men with a similar smoking history.36 However, the risk of AAA following smoking

171 cessation declines more rapidly in women than men.36 Increased aortic mural calcification has

172 also been suggested as a risk factor for rupture.37

173 Rupture risk for those unfit for repair in the ADAM trial was 9% per year for patients with

174 aortic diameters between 5.5 and 5.9 cm, 10% for aneurysms between 6.0 and 6.9 cm, and

175 33% for those ≥ 7.0 cm.38 More recent experience suggests that rupture estimates based on

176 aortic diameter may need revision downward. Pooled analysis from natural history studies and

24

177 control arms of interventional trials indicate that current rupture risk for AAAs between 5.5 and

178 7.0 cm in diameter may be as low as 5.3% per year and for AAA > 7.0 cm, 6.3% per year.

179 Among asymptomatic patients, the risk of death from causes other than AAA, regardless of

180 aneurysm diameter, was higher than the risk of death from aneurysm rupture.39

181 Careful review of the surgical history is also essential for accurate and timely recognition

182 of AAA disease. Cholecystitis, appendicitis, or pancreatitis may mimic the presentation of a

183 symptomatic aneurysm. In addition, the nature and extent of previous abdominal surgery may

184 influence the operative approach. When a pulsatile mass is discovered in a patient following

185 prior open surgical repair (OSR) of an AAA, the presence of an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm,40

186 iliac artery aneurysm,41 or suprarenal aortic aneurysm42 should be considered. Abdominal or

187 back pain after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) should also prompt evaluation of

188 potential aneurysm expansion or rupture.43-45

189 Physical examination

190 An abdominal aortic aneurysm is generally defined as an enlargement of the abdominal

191 aorta to ≥ 3.0 cm in diameter. The abdominal aorta begins at the diaphragm, typically at the

192 12th thoracic vertebra, and lays in the retroperitoneum just anterior and slightly left of the

193 vertebral column. With increasing age, the aorta elongates and enlarges, so the location of a

194 pulsatile mass on physical examination can be variable in location. At the level of the umbilicus

195 and fourth lumbar vertebra, the aorta bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries. The

196 focused exam for an aortic aneurysm should be directed at the upper abdominal quadrants.

197 Physical examination has only a moderate sensitivity for detecting AAA, depending on

198 the extent of abdominal girth and aneurysm size.46 The common iliac arteries may also become

199 aneurysmal and palpable in the lower abdominal quadrants. A number of theories have been

200 proposed to explain the predilection of aneurysmal degeneration to the abdominal aorta and

201 common iliac arteries, but none are definitive.47 Palpation does not precipitate rupture and the

25

202 concern for a symptomatic aneurysm should not preclude thorough examination. An abdominal

203 aneurysm is common (37-40%) in patients with popliteal artery aneurysms48-50, as are the

204 presence of concurrent distal arterial aneurysms in patients with an AAA.51-53

205 206 207 In patients with a suspected or known abdominal aortic aneurysm, we recommend performing 208 physical examination that includes an assessment of femoral and popliteal arteries. 209 210 In patients with a popliteal or femoral artery aneurysm, we recommend evaluation for an 211 abdominal aortic aneurysm. 212 213 Level of recommendation Strong 214 Quality of evidence High 215 216

217 Assessment of medical comorbidities

218 Preoperative evaluation of cardiac risk. Despite improvements in cardiovascular risk

219 factor management, five-year survival following successful aneurysm repair remains under

220 70%.54-56 Cardiovascular and pulmonary disease remain the leading causes of early and late

221 death following OSR or EVAR.57 EVAR is associated with a three-fold reduction in perioperative

222 mortality when compared to propensity-matched patients undergoing elective OSR,58 including

223 even younger patients with fewer co-morbidities.59 60 For both patients with advanced chronic

224 renal insufficiency61 and oxygen-dependent COPD,62 EVAR outcomes are superior to those

225 achieved with contemporary OSR, particularly when performed under local or regional

226 anesthesia. However, despite the reduced risk as compared to OSR, EVAR remains an

227 intermediate to high-risk procedure.

228 Given the risk associated with either OSR or EVAR, it is essential to evaluate the overall

229 operative risk associated with either method of repair. The first step should be to determine

230 whether an active cardiovascular condition exists (Table 3), which would mandate further

231 assessment and management prior to planned aneurysm repair. In the absence of an active

232 cardiovascular condition, further testing, as dictated by functional capacity and cardiovascular

26

233 risk factors, is indicated only if the results will change the planned treatment approach.

234 Functional capacity can be estimated from a simple activity assessment (Table 4). Patients

235 capable of moderate physical activities, such as climbing two flights of stairs or running a short

236 distance (metabolic activity unit (MET) ≥ 4) will not benefit from further testing. Those who do

237 not function at this level or in whom physical reserve cannot be assessed will benefit from

238 cardiac testing, if it will change operative management.63 Recent studies suggest that low

239 anaerobic threshold (< 10 mL O2/kg/min) during exercise testing, as a measure of aerobic

240 capacity, is predictive of cardiovascular complications, as well as early and late death after

241 aortic aneurysm repair.64-66

242 All patients should be evaluated with a 12-lead ECG within 30 days of planned repair.

243 Although resting LV function, as determined by an echocardiogram, does not predict

244 postoperative MI or death, echocardiography is recommended for those patients with dyspnea

245 of unknown origin or worsening dyspnea in the setting of a history of congestive heart failure.

246 247 248 In patients with active cardiac conditions, including unstable angina, decompensated heart 249 failure, severe valvular disease, or significant arrhythmia, we recommend cardiology 250 consultation prior to EVAR or OSR. 251 252 Level of recommendation Strong 253 Quality of Evidence High 254 255 256 In patients with significant clinical risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, congestive 257 heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency and an 258 unknown or poor functional capacity (MET < 4) who are to undergo OSR or EVAR, we suggest 259 noninvasive stress testing. 260 261 Level of recommendation Weak 262 Quality of evidence Moderate 263 264 265 We recommend a preoperative resting 12-lead ECG in all patients undergoing EVAR or OSR 266 within 30 days of planned treatment. 267 268 Level of recommendation Strong 269 Quality of evidence High 270

27

271 272 We recommend echocardiography prior to planned operative repair in patients with dyspnea of 273 unknown origin or worsening dyspnea. 274 275 Level of recommendation Strong 276 Quality of evidence High 277 278

279 Preoperative coronary revascularization. A meta-analysis of 22 studies examining

280 more than 13,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) identified an abdominal aortic

281 aneurysm in 8.4% of patients.67 Routine coronary artery revascularization in patients with stable

282 cardiac symptoms and absent left main coronary artery disease or severe aortic stenosis does

283 not alter the risk of MI, death, or long-term survival among patients undergoing elective vascular

284 surgery.68, 69 Coronary revascularization is indicated for acute coronary syndrome with or

285 without ST-segment elevation, unstable angina, stable angina in the presence of left main

286 coronary artery or three-vessel disease, as well as for two-vessel disease, including the

287 proximal left anterior descending artery and either ischemia on non-invasive testing or reduced

288 LV function.

289 The risk for perioperative stent thrombosis for both bare-metal (BMS) and drug-

290 eluting stents (DES) in the coronary arteries is highest in the first 4 to 6 weeks after

291 implantation. Surgery should be delayed for 14 days after coronary angioplasty and 30 days

292 after a BMS, if dual-antiplatelet therapy cannot be continued through the perioperative period.

293 Likewise, OSR should not be performed within 6 months following implantation of a drug-eluting

294 stent, if cessation of dual antiplatelet therapy is required.70 This recommendation assumes the

295 use of newer generation drug eluting stents in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. Thus

296 percutaneous EVAR should be considered the operative method of choice if aneurysm

297 treatment becomes necessary within 6 months after placement of a drug-eluting stent, as dual

298 antiplatelet therapy can typically be continued using this approach.

28

299 In summary, a recommendation for percutaneous or surgical intervention for coronary

300 artery disease should follow established clinical practice guidelines, regardless of the need for

301 aneurysm repair.63 While simultaneous open aneurysm repair and CABG has been reported for

302 select symptomatic patients with critical coronary artery disease,71-74 if anatomically feasible,

303 EVAR under local anesthesia would be a preferred option.

304 305 306 307 We suggest coronary revascularization prior to aneurysm repair in patients with acute ST- or 308 non-ST elevation MI, unstable angina, or stable angina with left main coronary artery or three- 309 vessel disease. 310 311 Level of recommendation Weak 312 Quality of evidence Moderate 313 314 We suggest coronary revascularization prior to aneurysm repair in patients with stable angina 315 and two-vessel disease that includes the proximal left descending artery and either ischemia on 316 non-invasive stress testing or reduced LV function (EF < 50%). 317 318 Level of recommendation Weak 319 Quality of evidence Moderate 320 321 322 In patients who may need aneurysm repair in the subsequent 12 months and in whom 323 percutaneous coronary intervention is indicated, we suggest a strategy of balloon angioplasty or 324 bare metal stent placement, followed by four to six weeks of dual-antiplatelet therapy. 325 326 Level of recommendation Weak 327 Quality of evidence High 328 329 330 We suggest deferring elective aneurysm repair for 30 days after bare metal stent placement or 331 coronary artery bypass surgery, if clinical circumstances permit. As an alternative, EVAR may 332 be performed with uninterrupted continuation of dual-antiplatelet therapy. 333 334 Level of recommendation Weak 335 Quality of evidence Moderate 336 337 338 We suggest deferring open aneurysm repair for at least 6 months after drug-eluting coronary 339 stent placement or, alternatively, performing EVAR with continuation of dual-antiplatelet therapy. 340 341 Level of recommendation Weak 342 Quality of evidence Moderate 343 344

29

345 In patients with a drug-eluting coronary stent requiring open aneurysm repair, we recommend 346 discontinuing P2Y12 platelet receptor-inhibitor therapy 10 days preoperatively with continuation 347 of aspirin. The P2Y12 inhibitor should be restarted as soon as possible after surgery. The 348 relative risks and benefits of perioperative bleeding and stent thrombosis should be discussed 349 with the patient. 350 351 Level of recommendation Strong 352 Quality of evidence Moderate 353 354 355 Perioperative medical management of coronary artery disease. The initiation of

356 beta-blockade prior to non-cardiac surgery has been associated with an increased risk of stroke

357 and all-cause mortality.75-77 The use of an alpha-2 agonist is no longer recommended to prevent

358 cardiac events, nor are calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, given their

359 potential to impair myocardial function in patients with reduced left ventricular function.

360 Continuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers is

361 based on individual clinical circumstances.63

362 Aspirin reduces adverse cardiovascular events among patients with coronary artery

363 disease and can be continued during the perioperative period.78 Both warfarin and the new oral

364 anticoagulants (non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants) should be discontinued at least 5

365 days and 2 days, respectively, prior to major surgery.79 The need for low molecular weight

366 heparin as a bridge depends on the indication for anticoagulation.

367 368 369 We suggest continuation of beta-blocker therapy during the perioperative period, if part of an 370 established medical regimen. 371 372 Level of recommendation Weak 373 Quality of evidence Moderate 374 375 376 If a decision was made to start beta-blocker therapy (due to the presence of multiple risk factors 377 such as coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, and diabetes); we suggest initiation well in 378 advance of surgery to allow sufficient time to assess safety and tolerability. 379 380 Level of recommendation Weak 381 Quality of evidence Moderate 382

30

383 Pulmonary disease. Between 7 and 11% of patients with COPD have an AAA.29 The

384 prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients presenting with

385 ruptured AAA has largely been attributed to cigarette smoking as a common risk factor.31

386 Common genetic, inflammatory and remodeling pathways may also be present that predispose

387 patients to both conditions.80 Several studies have reported that COPD is an independent

388 predictor of mortality after open repair5, 81 with the severity of pulmonary disease and the

389 capacity to optimize preoperative respiratory function influencing outcome.82 EVAR is better

390 tolerated than OSR, particularly if EVAR is performed under local anesthesia.83, 84 However,

391 patients with severe COPD exhibit increased in-hospital mortality, pulmonary complications,

392 major adverse events, and decreased 5-year survival whether treated with open repair or

393 EVAR.62

394 If COPD is suspected or present, room air arterial blood gases and standard pulmonary

395 function testing should be performed prior to surgery. In the setting of oxygen-dependent

396 COPD, pulmonary consultation should be obtained for assessment of prognosis and

397 optimization of medical therapy. Smoking cessation prior to aneurysm repair and administration

398 of pulmonary bronchodilators for at least two weeks is recommended. The diagnosis of an

399 aortic aneurysm can be a strong motivator for smoking cessation85 and efforts to begin smoking

400 cessation prior to surgery can result in long term benefits.86 Nicotine replacement87 and use of

401 nortriptyline and bupropion, alone or in combination, along with inpatient and outpatient

402 counseling have proven beneficial for smoking cessation.88

403 404 405 We suggest preoperative pulmonary function studies, including room air arterial blood gases, in 406 patients with a history of symptomatic COPD, long-standing tobacco use, or inability to climb 407 one flight of stairs. 408 409 Level of recommendation: Weak 410 Quality of evidence Low 411 412 413

31

414 We recommend smoking cessation for at least two weeks prior to aneurysm repair. 415 416 Level of recommendation Strong 417 Quality of evidence Low 418 419 420 We suggest administration of pulmonary bronchodilators for at least two weeks prior to 421 aneurysm repair in patients with a history of COPD or abnormal pulmonary function testing. 422 423 Level of recommendation Weak 424 Quality of evidence Low 425 426

427 Renal insufficiency. Preoperative renal insufficiency is an established risk factor for

428 poor outcome after aneurysm repair. Among patients with moderate renal dysfunction

429 (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-60 mL/min), mortality and cardiovascular events

430 are more likely for patients treated by open surgical repair than by EVAR.61 However,

431 outcomes are uniformly poor in the presence of severe renal dysfunction (eGFR < 30 mL/min),

432 regardless of the type of repair. Outcomes are equally poor after EVAR or OSR for the patient

433 requiring dialysis with a 30-day mortality of 11% with Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of 66% at

434 1 year and 37% at three years.89 Median survival was two years.89

435 Significant declines in renal mass and eGFR have been documented after OSR and

436 EVAR, even in the setting of age-adjusted normal renal function prior to surgery.90 For

437 example, acute and chronic kidney injury have been noted after complex EVAR with snorkel or

438 renal stent placement, with an increased risk among women.91 Even transient postoperative

439 renal dysfunction is associated with an increase in mortality, morbidity, and the need for

440 additional intensive care unit support.92

441 Several strategies have been recommended to minimize renal injury after EVAR or

442 OSR. Hydration with either normal saline or sodium bicarbonate is recommended to ensure

443 euvolemia.93 Similarly, given the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and

444 angiotensin receptor antagonists with hypotension on induction of anesthesia, these

445 medications should be held the morning of surgery and restarted after the patient is

32

446 euvolemic.94, 95 While the administration of many agents have been evaluated, none have

447 proven of value in limiting renal injury after AAA repair. Antioxidants, such as mannitol, prior to

448 or during OSR have demonstrated no benefit.96 Likewise, fenoldopam, dopamine, atrial

449 natriuretic peptide, diuretics, as well as anti-platelet and anti-inflammatory agents are of no

450 value in the prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury.97 Lastly, remote ischemic

451 preconditioning (RIPC) has been studied as a strategy for reducing the risk of renal dysfunction.

452 However, systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature does not confirm the

453 efficacy of this technique in patients undergoing major vascular surgery.98-101

454 Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is defined as a 25% increase in serum creatinine,

455 or an absolute increase of 0.5 mg/dL, two to seven days following contrast administration.

456 Patients with renal disease (eGFR ≤ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2), diabetes, congestive heart failure,

457 ejection fraction < 40%, hypertension, anemia, advanced age, proteinuria, and gout are at

458 increased risk for CIN.102 Gadolinium is not a safe alternative to iodinated contrast, given the

459 risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with a GFR of < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.

460 There is a linear relationship between the volume of contrast administered and the onset

461 and severity of CIN. For every 100 mL of contrast infused during coronary artery interventions,

462 there is a 12% increase in the risk for CIN.103 Pre-procedural hydration may be beneficial, but

463 fenoldapam, dopamine, atrial natriuretic peptide, theophylline and calcium channel blockers are

464 not.104 Pre-procedural administration of oral N-acetylcysteine is recommended for at-risk

465 patients, given its low cost, safety profile, and mild protective effect. However, a randomized

466 trial of N-acetylcysteine did not reduce the incidence of CIN after EVAR.105 Recent evidence

467 suggests that statin therapy may be of benefit in preventing CIN. For example, two studies

468 suggest that initiating high dose statin therapy two days prior to contrast exposure, and

469 continuing for three days afterward, may reduce the risk for CIN undergoing coronary

470 interventions.106, 107 A recent meta-analysis concluded that the administration of statins along

471 with N-acetylcysteine and intravenous saline had clinically important and statistically significant

33

472 benefits as a prevention strategy for CIN when compared to the use of N-acetylcysteine and

473 saline alone.108

474 Contrast agents with osmolality of > 780 mOsm/kg display increased nephrotoxicity.

475 Additional nephroprotection through further reduction in osmolality was suggested by a study

476 comparing iohexol (Omnipaque, a low-osmolar agent; 600 – 800 mOsm/kg) with iodixanol

477 (Visipaque, an iso-osmolar agent; 290 mOsm/kg).109 However, rates of CIN for iopamidol

478 (Isovue-370, 796 mOsm/kg, non-ionic) are similar to iodixanol, which suggests that other

479 physiochemical properties, apart from osmolarity, are important determinants of CIN.110

480 Likewise, several randomized trials of ionic and nonionic contrast agents have demonstrated no

481 difference in CIN.111

482 In summary, minimizing the volume of any type of contrast agent is essential to reducing

483 the risk of CIN, and all nephrotoxic drugs should be stopped at least 48 hours before contrast

484 administration. Patients at increased risk for CIN should be hydrated prior to and after EVAR.

485 Normal saline at 1 mL/kg/h can be administered for 6 to 12 hours prior to and after the

486 procedure. Alternatively, D5W/sodium bicarbonate can be administered at 3 mL/kg/h for 1 hour

487 prior to EVAR and at 1 mL/kg/h for six hours afterwards. Peri-procedural N-acetylcysteine may

112 488 be of benefit to reduce CIN. Additional strategies to limit contrast load include use of CO2,

489 intravascular or Duplex ultrasound113, or fusion imaging.114

490 491 492 We suggest holding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor 493 antagonists on the morning of surgery and restarting these agents after the procedure once 494 euvolemia has been achieved. 495 496 Level of recommendation Weak 497 Quality of evidence Low 498 499 500 We recommend preoperative hydration in non-dialysis dependent patients with renal 501 insufficiency prior to aneurysm repair. 502 503 Level of recommendation Strong 504 Quality of evidence High

34

505 506 We recommend pre- and post-procedure hydration with normal saline or 5% dextrose/sodium 507 bicarbonate for patients at increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy undergoing EVAR. 508 509 Level of recommendation Strong 510 Quality of evidence High 511 512 513 Diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients have increased operative mortality following AAA

514 repair with reduced survival two to five years following surgery, consistent with an increased

515 burden of cardiovascular disease.115 However, whether diabetes is a distinct risk factor for

516 major adverse events or death after OSR or EVAR is not well defined.116-120

517 Metformin is a first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and prescribed

518 for over 100 million patients worldwide. Metformin is contraindicated if the eGFR is below 30

519 mL/min per 1.73 m2 due to risk the lactic acidosis, which carries a mortality of up to 50%.121

520 Given the risk of CIN after conventional or CT and the association of metformin

521 with lactic acidosis among patients with renal insufficiency, an eGFR of less than 60 mL/min

522 should prompt the cessation of metformin either at the time of contrast administration or up to

523 48 hours before, if eGFR is less than 45 mL/min.122 Metformin should be restarted no sooner

524 than 48 hours after contrast administration as long as renal function has remained stable (less

525 than 25% increase in creatinine above baseline).122

526 527 528 We recommend holding metformin at the time of contrast administration among patients with an 529 eGFR of < 60 mL/min or up to 48 hours before contrast administration, if the eGFR is < 45 530 mL/min. 531 532 Level of recommendation: Strong 533 Quality of evidence Low 534 535 536 We recommend restarting metformin no sooner than 48 hours after contrast administration as 537 long as renal function has remained stable (< 25% increase in creatinine above baseline). 538 539 Level of recommendation: Strong 540 Quality of evidence Low 541

35

542 Hematologic disorders. The presence of an aortic aneurysm influences both platelet

543 count and function. Low platelet counts and high glycocalicin levels have been observed in

544 patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which has been attributed to increased platelet

545 destruction within the aneurysm sac.123 While a threshold of platelet count below which elective

546 AAA repair should be deferred has not been addressed, further evaluation is warranted if the

547 platelet count is less than 150,000 platelets/μL. Following elective OSR, a platelet count of less

548 than 130,000/μL is associated with an increased risk of bleeding124. Platelet sequestration and

549 thrombocytopenia may occur after OSR, which may persist for several weeks, especially when

550 proximal clamping necessitates periods of renal or visceral ischemia.125 Matsumura and

551 colleagues suggested that a lower preoperative platelet count was an independent predictor of

552 two year mortality among patients undergoing both EVAR and OSR.126

553 Elevated levels of homocysteine, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and lipoprotein(a)

554 have been observed among patients with aortic aneurysms, but their role in aneurysm

555 progression is uncertain.127-129 Anticardiolipin antibodies, MTHFR C677T polymorphism,

556 prothrombin gene G20210A variant, and Factor V Leiden mutation are no more common in

557 patients with an aortic aneurysm.

558 559 560 We recommend perioperative transfusion of packed red blood cells if the hemoglobin level is 561 less than 7 g/dL. 562 563 Level of recommendation Strong 564 Quality of evidence Moderate 565 566 567 We suggest hematologic assessment if the preoperative platelet count is less than 150,000/μL. 568 569 Level of recommendation Weak 570 Quality of evidence Low 571 572

573

36

574 Biomarkers and heritable risks for an abdominal aortic aneurysm

575 Biomarkers for the presence and expansion of an aortic aneurysm. The

576 identification of circulating biomarkers for AAA disease remains an area of active investigation.

577 Such markers may assist in identifying new targets for pharmacotherapy, and may improve both

578 the diagnosis of AAA disease and monitoring the response to medical or surgical therapy.

579 Among biomarkers evaluated to date, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and IL-6 have been consistently

580 associated with the presence of AAA in multiple cross-sectional, case-controlled studies.130 A

581 meta-analysis has reported that fibrinogen, D-dimer and thrombin-anti-thrombin III complex

582 levels are increased in patients with AAA.131 Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor

583 of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), α1-

584 antitrypsin, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), apolipoprotein A, and high-density lipoprotein

585 (HDL) are also differentially expressed in patients with AAA. While a linear correlation has been

586 noted between CRP and aortic diameter,132 this observation is at odds with at least one prior

587 report.133 A number of microRNAs (miRs) related to smooth muscle cell function and collagen

588 formation have also been suggested as possible AAA biomarkers.28, 134-137 At the current time,

589 none of these candidates has the sensitivity, specificity, or rigorous clinical validation to be

590 relied upon as a diagnostic or prognostic indicator for rupture risk.138, 139

591 Genetic markers identifying risk of aortic aneurysm. Genetic influences in AAA

592 disease, first suggested by Clifton,140 has been demonstrated by twin studies141 and by formal

593 segregation analyses.142 Genetic predisposition likely represents small contributions from a

594 large number of risk alleles with the effect dependent on the population under consideration, as

595 well as relevant environmental considerations, such as cigarette smoking.143 Most genomic

596 studies have investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to AAA

597 pathogenesis. Potential AAA-related SNPs have been identified in genes encoding for ACE,

37

598 5,10-methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), angiotensin II type 1 receptor, interleukin-10,

599 MMP-3 and transforming growth factor beta receptor II.144

600 The use of genome-wide DNA linkage analyses relies on traditional proband and family

601 tree studies. Examination of families with two or more members with an AAA has identified

602 variations on chromosomes 4 and 19.144 Allelic variation at the q31 locus on chromosome 4

603 may influence endothelin signaling and respiratory epithelial response to injury, such as

604 cigarette smoking.145, 146 Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have also been

605 conducted for various cardiovascular diseases,147 at least three of which have focused on

606 AAA.148 A number of genetic loci have been implicated in AAA pathogenesis (Table 5).144 The

607 non-coding region of chromosome 9p21 has been identified as an important source of heritable

608 risk coronary and peripheral arterial disease, as well as AAA, independent of smoking,

609 hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The at-risk allele may mediate this effect by down regulating

610 the cell-cycle regulatory gene, CDKN2B.149 Epigenetic regulation of gene expression through

611 microRNA production and post-translation regulation of gene expression may also influence

612 inflammation, fibrosis, or other mechanisms relevant to AAA pathogenesis.150 151

613 Some monogenic diseases increase the risk of AAA, including mutations within the

614 COL3AI gene, associated with an autosomal dominant defect in type III collagen synthesis

615 present in patients with the Ehlers Danlos phenotype152, 153 or mutations in fibrillin 1, responsible

616 for Marfan Syndrome154. In Ehlers Danlos and Marfan Syndromes, isolated AAA is uncommon

617 in the absence of other arterial aneurysms or , respectively.

618

619 Aneurysm imaging

620 Modalities for aneurysm imaging. Among asymptomatic patients, ultrasound detects

621 the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm accurately, reproducibly, and efficiently.

622 Sensitivity and specificity approach 100%, but in 1% to 3% of patients, the aorta cannot be

623 visualized due to bowel gas or obesity.155, 156 Transabdominal ultrasound is ideal for screening

38

624 and surveillance,157 but insufficiently precise for procedural planning or more complex

625 morphological analyses.158-160

626 Computed tomographic (CT) imaging is more reproducible than ultrasound, with > 90%

627 of measurements within 2 mm of the initial reading.161 Both techniques suffer from a lack of

628 standardization in terms of determining the degree and rate of disease progression.162 An

629 aneurysm measured by standard axial CT is generally more than 2 mm larger in diameter than

630 when measured by ultrasound. Most commonly, the cross-sectional measurement obtained by

631 CT is not necessarily perpendicular to the path of the aorta, which presumably contributes to an

632 over-estimation of aneurysm size. There is also significant variability in reporting of aneurysm

633 diameter, particularly in research studies, which have included diameter measurements based

634 on outer-wall to outer-wall, inner-wall to inner-wall, and anterior outer-wall to posterior inner-

635 wall.163 Lack of precision of diameter measurements based on orthogonal rendering, as well as

636 path lengths and centerline measurements have been largely superseded by the adoption of

637 three-dimensional reformatting software and dedicated computer workstations to obtain curved

638 multiplanar reformatted images.164

639 The increasingly small size and low cost of portable ultrasound units and absence of

640 radiation or nephrotoxic contrast administration with ultrasound has made it the preferred

641 technique for aneurysm screening and surveillance.165-167 For operative planning, however, CT

642 remains an essential tool, given its precision, reproducibility, resolution, capacity for complete

643 anatomic examination, and data conversion into numerous reformatting and measurement

644 programs. It bears noting that plain abdominal films and catheter-based digital subtraction

645 angiography have low sensitivity for the detection of AAA. The luminal contour of the

646 aneurysmal aorta visualized by angiography may be obscured by accumulated mural thrombus,

647 particularly in the case of larger aneurysms.

648 Ultrasound has become a mainstay of emergency medical practice and used with

649 increasing accuracy and facility in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. High sensitivity

39

650 and specificity have been reported in detecting non-ruptured aneurysms167, 168 and use of

651 bedside ultrasound significantly reduces time to diagnosis and treatment.169, 170 However,

652 regions of the retroperitoneum may not be well visualized in non-fasting patients or those with

653 ileus or excessive intestinal gas.171

654 The accuracy of CT imaging for diagnosis of symptomatic and ruptured AAA has also

655 improved due to advances in coordinated timing and appropriate dosage of contrast, as well as

656 through the use of multi-detector arrays and post-image processing. Timed contrast boluses

657 greatly increases the sensitivity and specificity of CT imaging.172 With modern equipment and

658 imaging techniques, false positive CT interpretation is very low173 and radiographic findings of

659 rupture are well-characterized.174

660 661 662 We recommend using ultrasound, when feasible, as the preferred imaging modality for 663 aneurysm screening and surveillance. 664 665 Level of recommendation Strong 666 Quality of evidence High 667 668 669 We suggest that the maximum aneurysm diameter derived from CT imaging should be based 670 on an outer-wall to outer-wall measurement perpendicular to the path of the aorta. 671 672 Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement 673 Quality of evidence Ungraded 674

675 Prediction of aneurysm expansion and rupture risk. A significant unmet need in the

676 assessment of AAA disease is a determination of rupture risk. Maximum AAA diameter

677 remains the most widely used and validated criteria for prediction of rupture risk. The adoption

678 of maximum diameter as a measure of rupture risk was based, in part, on a retrospective review

679 of 24,000 consecutive autopsies performed over 23 years at a single institution.175 Of the 473

680 non-resected AAA identified in this series, 118 were ruptured. Approximately 40% of AAA

681 greater than 5 cm in diameter were ruptured. However, 40% of AAA between 7 and 10 cm were

682 not ruptured, while 13% of AAA less than 5 cm in size were ruptured.175 Thus, a variety of

40

683 potentially more sensitive predictors of rupture risk have been proposed, including AAA

684 expansion rate,30, 38, 176, 177 wall stiffness,178-180 wall tension,181 and peak AAA wall stress.182-184

685 Hall and colleagues have suggested that rupture is imminent above a critical aortic wall

686 stress, predicted by the Law of Laplace and maximum AAA diameter.181 Several other

687 investigators subsequently demonstrated that wall stress is highly dependent on AAA shape

688 rather than diameter alone.182-188 With ultrasound-based assessment, determination of peak

689 wall stress may soon be translatable to real-time patient assessment.189 Modeling by

690 computational fluid dynamics has suggested that intraluminal hemodynamic conditions also

691 influence AAA growth, remodeling, and risk of rupture.190-194

692 The peak wall rupture index considers both peak wall stress and residual wall strength

693 and has been proposed as more predictive than estimates of peak wall stress alone.195-197

694 Further analyses have also incorporated the influence of intraluminal hemodynamic conditions

695 on wall stress/strength indices through fluid structure interaction simulations.198, 199 The value of

696 CT-determined intraluminal thrombus volume200 201, as well as PET-CT imaging in predicting

697 rupture risk remains uncertain.202 203 The utility of PET imaging may require the development of

698 AAA-specific radiotracer agents.204

699 Beyond an assessment of rupture risk, there is a clear role for imaging-based criteria for

700 the prediction of disease progression. As revealed in surveillance studies, many small AAAs do

701 not enlarge.205 Molecular imaging of pathologic processes characteristic of aortic degeneration,

702 including angiogenesis,206 matrix disruption,207 activated macrophage localization,208 and

703 proteolysis209 are being translated to the clinic210-213 and may help to identify those patients with

704 an increased likelihood of disease progression.

705 Gender-specific rupture indicators have been evaluated given the increased risk for

706 rupture in women at any given aortic diameter. A recent computational study of patient-specific

707 anatomy using finite element analysis was unable to identify significant differences in peak wall

708 stress and peak wall rupture indices between men and women.214 Although aneurysm diameter

41

709 remains a well-established parameter for clinical decision-making, a retrospective analysis has

710 suggested that aneurysm diameter indexed to body size (aortic size index (ASI) = aneurysm

711 diameter (cm)/BSA (m2)) may represent a superior predictor of rupture risk for women.215

712 Recommendations for aneurysm screening. Aneurysm screening has been

713 motivated by a desire to reduce AAA-related mortality and prolong life expectancy. Overall, the

714 probability of AAA in the general population is very low, but significantly increased when certain

715 risk factors are present.4 Four randomized clinical trials that included 127,891 men and 9,342

716 women between 65 and 79 years of age provide evidence that ultrasound screening is effective

717 in reducing aneurysm-related mortality.216-221 This benefit begins within 3 years of testing and

718 persists for up to 15 years.222 In addition, screening is associated with a reduced risk for AAA

719 rupture and emergency surgery.222

720 The MASS group, the largest of the four randomized clinical trials, reported that over 13

721 years there was a 42% reduction in AAA-related mortality and a small reduction in all-cause

722 mortality. It was estimated that 216 men needed to be invited to screening to save one death

723 over 13 years. Of those aneurysms that did rupture, roughly half had an initial baseline

724 diameter of 2.5 to 2.9 cm at initial screening.223

725 Screening for AAA in women is more controversial. Since few women were included in

726 these trials, a decrease in AAA-related mortality or incidence of rupture could not be

727 identified.224 Although AAA prevalence is lower in women, the rate of rupture and overall life

728 expectancy are higher, which suggest that screening may be more cost-effective in women.225

729 In 2005 the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended a one time

730 screening by abdominal ultrasonography for men aged 65 to 75 with a history of smoking.226 In

731 2014, the USPSTF updated their 2005 recommendations to include one time ultrasound

732 screening for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked (grade B) and selective screening of

733 65 to 75 year old men who have never smoked (grade C). Screening was not recommended for

42

734 women aged 65 to 75 who have never smoked (grade D) and evidence was insufficient to

735 recommend for or against screening in women aged 65 to 75 who had a smoking history.227

736 The USPSTF recommendations are based on the assumption that 6 to 7% of men with a

737 smoking history in the 65 to 75 year old age group will have an AAA. In the absence of a

738 smoking history, the prevalence drops to 2%. The prevalence of AAA is 0.8% in a similar age

739 group of women who have a past history of smoking, but for women who are current smokers

740 the prevalence is 2%. In women who have never smoked, AAA prevalence is less than

741 0.60%.227

742 In 2007, following passage of the SAAAVE (Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

743 Very Efficiently) amendment in 2006, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

744 began offering one time screening by ultrasonography for men aged 65 to 75 if they had

745 smoked ≥ 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, and men and women with a family history of AAA

746 disease, as part of their “Welcome to Medicare” physical examination. As originally mandated,

747 the screening could only be ordered by the primary care physician, within 6 months of the

748 activation of Medicare benefits.226 However, by 2012 it was apparent that fewer than 3% of

749 abdominal ultrasound claims were for SAAAVE-specific AAA screening, and although

750 abdominal ultrasounds in the affected age groups had increased, there was no discernible effect

751 on AAA rupture or all-cause mortality.228 Subsequent Medicare eligibility guidelines have been

752 modified to allow additional physician specialists to order the tests and increase the window of

753 eligibility.

754 Many additional opportunities exist to improve screening and surveillance practices in

755 the United States. Currently, 40% of operative repairs in Medicare beneficiaries are performed

756 late in the course of the disease, suggesting that a prior screening opportunity had been

757 missed.229 A significant portion of patients present with rupture despite known AAA status.229 In

758 an analysis of a cohort of more than 3 million individuals, it was suggested that small changes in

759 recommended eligibility requirements, such as accounting for the impact of accumulated

43

760 cardiovascular risk factors, would improve the screening yield for women, non-smokers, and

761 other groups traditionally considered at lower risk.4

762 Effective use of the electronic health record to improve screening of target populations

763 has been demonstrated by Kaiser Permanente of Southern California.230 “Best practice alerts”

764 for AAA screening criteria were integrated into the electronic health record and reduced the

765 percentage of unscreened patients within their 3.6 million subscriber system from 52% to 20%

766 within 15 months. These alerts were directed to nursing staff when patients checked in for any

767 visit with any provider. Automatic screening orders were then entered that clinicians would sign

768 when visit specific relevant orders were completed. Patients who had undergone any type of

769 cross-sectional abdominal imaging in the prior ten years (>54,000) were excluded from the alert

770 system.230

771 In addition to the United States, government-sponsored screening programs have been

772 implemented in the U.K. and Sweden and the results reflect the changing epidemiology of

773 aneurysmal disease. In Sweden the screening yield was less than half that expected, despite

774 widespread participation.231 Similarly, in the first three years of the U.K. National Abdominal

775 Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program AAA detection rate was only 1.6%, less than 50% of that

776 expected based on the results of the prior MASS cohort.232 However, cost-effectiveness

777 calculations derived from MASS (£7,600/life-year gained) suggest that AAA screening in

778 England and other European countries will remain cost-effective even with prevalence rates as

779 low as 1%.233-235

780 Other challenges to efficient implementation of screening include identifying and

781 excluding patients who have had prior abdominal cross-sectional imaging studies, accounting

782 for increasing longevity, the potential needs for late rescreening,236 and selective screening to

783 optimize yield at minimal cost.237 Reducing all-cause mortality and enhancing yield might be

784 increased by integrating AAA screening with concurrent echocardiograms238 or blood pressure

44

785 and peripheral vascular disease testing.239 Ensuring full participation for all patient groups at

786 risk remains an ever-present challenge.240, 241

787 788 789 We recommend a one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in men or 790 women 65-75 years of age with a history of tobacco use. 791 792 Level of recommendation Strong 793 Quality of evidence High 794 795 We suggest ultrasound screening for AAA in first-degree relatives of patients who present with 796 an AAA. Screening should be performed in first degree relatives who are between 65-75 years 797 of age or in those over 75 years of age and in good health. 798 799 Level of recommendation Weak 800 Quality of evidence Low 801 802 803 We suggest a one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in men or women 804 over 75 years of age with a history of tobacco use and in otherwise good health who have not 805 previously received a screening ultrasound. 806 807 Level of recommendation Weak 808 Quality of evidence Low 809 810 If initial ultrasound screening identified an aortic diameter > 2.5 cm but less than 3 cm, we 811 suggest re-screening after 10 years. 812 813 Level of recommendation Weak 814 Quality of evidence Low 815

816 Recommendations for aneurysm surveillance. The optimal frequency for

817 surveillance following recognition of early-stage AAA disease has not been defined by

818 randomized clinical study. Some authors have suggested that there is no need to follow

819 patients with an initial aortic diameter less than 3 cm given their low risk for rupture.220, 242

820 However, in a 12 year analysis of 1,121 men aged 65 or older, 13.8% of with an initial

821 diameter of 2.6 to 2.9 cm exceeded 5.5 cm at 10 years. Among patients with an aortic diameter

822 between 3.0 and 3.4 cm, 2.1% had reached 5.5 cm at three years, and of those with a diameter

45

823 between 3.5 and 3.9 cm, 10.5% exceeded 5.5 cm or required surgery within two years. Rupture

824 occurred in 1.4%.

825 Two randomized controlled trials, the U.K. Small Aneurysm Trial,243 and the US Veterans

826 Affairs Aneurysm Detection and Management Trial,244 as well as a follow-up study of patients

827 detected in the U.K. MASS trial,218 demonstrated that a policy of surveillance until aneurysm

828 diameter exceeds 5.5 cm was safe and associated with a rupture rate of 1% per year. While

829 aortic size was defined by the maximum external aortic diameter, the surveillance frequency

830 differed among these studies.

831 In an analysis of expansion rates of 1,743 participants in the U.K. Small Aneurysm Trial,

832 AAA growth rate increased with aneurysm size and among current smokers, was lower in those

833 with low ankle-brachial index and diabetes, and was unaffected by lipids and blood pressure.245

834 Combining the results of 18 surveillance studies with similar imaging and assessment protocols,

835 the RESCAN collaborators identified a pooled growth rate across all studies of 2.2 mm per year,

836 with no significant difference between men and women. When estimates were pooled using

837 random-effects meta-analysis, following further adjustment for all demographics, medical and

838 drug history, rates of aneurysm enlargement were significantly increased in smokers and

839 decreased in those with diabetes (Figures 2A and 2B). Pooled meta-analysis failed to identify

840 the effects of any class of drug on aneurysm expansion.19 After adjustment for initial aneurysm

841 diameter, medical history and demographics, a strong association was noted between smoking

842 and rupture (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.33 - 3.06, p = 0.001), and a far higher risk for women than men

843 (HR 3.76, 95% CI 2.58 - 5.47, p < 0.001). Rupture risk was increased in older participants,

844 those enrolled in earlier studies, those with lower BMI and higher mean arterial or pulse

845 pressure. The effect of any class of drug was difficult to evaluate based on the low incidence of

846 rupture.19

847 Thompson and associates performed a meta-regression of growth estimates based on

848 aneurysm diameter (Figure 3) and time to a 10% probability of attaining an aortic diameter of

46

849 5.5 cm (Figure 4).246 Integrating cost-effectiveness data, the authors proposed

850 recommendations for surveillance intervals based on aortic size. Several years was

851 recommended for men with an initial AAA diameter between 3.0 and 4.0 cm range, whereas an

852 interval of one year was recommended for AAAs between 4.0 and 4.9 cm and six months for

853 those between 5.0 and 5.4 cm. However, the presence of diabetes, female sex, and current

854 smoking history were not accounted by the model or considered within this set of

855 recommendations.246 The increased risk of aneurysm rupture in women and patients with a

856 smoking history has confounded attempts at standardizing surveillance intervals.

857 858 859 We suggest surveillance imaging at three-year intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic 860 aneurysm between 3.0 and 3.9 cm. 861 862 Level of recommendation Weak 863 Quality of evidence Low 864 865 866 867 We suggest surveillance imaging at 12-month intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic 868 aneurysm of 4.0 to 4.9 cm in diameter. 869 870 Level of recommendation Weak 871 Quality of evidence Low 872 873 We suggest surveillance imaging at six-month intervals for patients with an abdominal aortic 874 aneurysm between 5.0 and 5.4 cm in diameter. 875 876 Level of recommendation Weak 877 Quality of evidence Low 878 879

880 Recommendations for imaging the symptomatic patient. In patients with abdominal

881 or back pain, ultrasound imaging is recommended to determine if an AAA is present and to

882 evaluate for the presence of other causes of abdominal or back pain. If an aneurysm is

883 detected, the patient should have a CT aortogram with timed intravenous contrast injection, if

884 not contraindicated, to exclude rupture and facilitate operative planning. A patient presenting

885 with a large AAA and back or abdominal pain should be referred for treatment, as soon as an

47

886 aneurysm is recognized, regardless of evidence for rupture, symptom evolution, or if a CT scan

887 has been completed. If hemodynamic compromise is present or evolves during the process of

888 evaluation, further imaging studies should be abandoned as care is escalated.

889 890 891 We recommend a CT scan to evaluate patients suspected to have AAA presenting with recent 892 onset abdominal or back pain, particularly in the presence of a pulsatile epigastric mass or 893 significant risk factors for AAA. 894 895 Level of recommendation Strong 896 Quality of evidence Moderate 897 898 899

900 TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT WITH AN ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

901 The decision to treat. It is recognized that the majority of patients will be asymptomatic

902 at the time of diagnosis of an AAA. Less frequently, the first presentation of an unrecognized

903 AAA may, in fact, be a symptomatic aneurysm manifested by abdominal or back pain or even

904 rupture. Should this be the case, prompt treatment is recommended.

905 Most AAAs are fusiform rather than saccular and current recommendations for treatment

906 of asymptomatic fusiform AAA rests primarily on the maximum transverse diameter as

907 measured on ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Conventional

908 arteriography can easily underestimate the true diameter by not accounting for luminal

909 thrombus.

910 There is general agreement that small aneurysms, less than 4.0 cm in maximum

911 diameter, are at low risk of rupture and should be monitored whereas an aneurysm greater than

912 5.4 cm in diameter should be repaired in an otherwise healthy patient. Elective repair is also

913 recommended for patients who present with a saccular aneurysm and while size guidelines are

914 currently lacking due to their infrequent presentation, repair is generally recommended at a

915 smaller diameter.

48

916 Some controversy exists regarding treatment strategies for patients who present with an

917 AAA between 4.0 and 5.4 cm. In the United Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial (UKSAT)247 and the

918 Aneurysm Detection and Management (ADAM) Trial,248 the 30-day operative mortality in the

919 immediate surgery groups (5.5% UKSAT, 2.1% ADAM) led to an early disadvantage in survival.

920 The investigators found no statistically significant difference in long-term survival between the

921 immediate open surgical repair and surveillance groups. Currently nearly 80% of all AAAs are

922 treated by EVAR in the United States.249, 250 Given the less invasive nature of EVAR, two

923 studies re-evaluated the appropriateness of intervention for small aneurysms. The Comparison

924 of Surveillance versus Aortic Endografting for Small Aneurysm Repair (CAESAR)251 and Positive

925 Impact of Endovascular Options for Treating Aneurysms Early (PIVOTAL)252 trials compared

926 immediate EVAR or surveillance for AAA between 4.1 and 5.4 cm (CAESAR) and 4.0 and 5.0

927 cm (PIVOTAL) and found no survival benefit for early EVAR, but neither trial was designed to

928 determine whether immediate EVAR might be beneficial or harmful for specific AAA size ranges

929 or age subgroups. A Cochrane Database Review253 of these four studies demonstrated no

930 advantage to immediate repair by open surgery or EVAR for small AAA (4.0 - 5.5 cm).

931 Patients with an asymptomatic fusiform AAA greater than 5.4 cm should be considered

932 for repair and surveillance is recommended for smaller aneurysms. An individualized approach

933 may be appropriate for patients with an AAA greater than 5.4 cm, but who are of advanced age

934 or have significant co-morbid conditions. Alternatively, young, healthy patients, particularly

935 women, with an AAA between 5.0 and 5.4 cm or those with rapid expansion of small fusiform

936 AAAs may benefit from early repair.246, 254-256

937 938 939 940 We suggest referral to a vascular surgeon at the time of initial diagnosis of an aortic aneurysm. 941 942 Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement 943 Quality of evidence Ungraded 944 945

49

946 We recommend repair for the patient who presents with an AAA and abdominal or back pain 947 that is likely attributed to the aneurysm. 948 949 Level of recommendation Strong 950 Quality of evidence Low 951 952 953 We recommend elective repair for the patient at low or acceptable surgical risk with a fusiform 954 AAA that is ≥ 5.5 cm. 955 956 Level of recommendation Strong 957 Quality of evidence High 958 959 960 We suggest elective repair for the patient who presents with a saccular aneurysm. 961 962 Level of recommendation Weak 963 Quality of evidence Low 964 965 966 We suggest repair in women with abdominal aortic aneurysm between 5.0 cm and 5.4 cm in 967 maximum diameter. 968 969 Level of recommendation Weak 970 Quality of evidence Moderate 971 972 973 In patients with a small aneurysm (4.0 cm to 5.4 cm) who will require chemotherapy, radiation 974 therapy, or solid organ transplantation, we suggest a shared-decision making approach to 975 decide about treatment options. 976 977 978 Level of recommendation Weak 979 Quality of evidence Low 980 981

982 Medical management during the period of aneurysm surveillance. In the presence

983 of a small aortic aneurysm, several approaches have been proposed to prevent further

984 enlargement.18 Smoking cessation is the most important intervention for a patient with an

985 aneurysm.246, 255, 257-259 Hemodynamic control with propranolol has not been shown to inhibit

986 aneurysm expansion.260, 261 Despite the benefits of statins in cardiovascular disease, their ability

987 to limit aneurysm expansion is lacking.262-265 Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

988 and Losartan, an angiotensin receptor antagonist, decrease the rate of AAA expansion in mice,

50

989 but clinical investigations have reported conflicting results.266, 267 Clinical trials of beta-adrenergic

990 receptor blockade demonstrate no effect on the rate of aneurysm progression.261, 268 Likewise,

991 beta-blockade, lipid-lowering agents, and angiotensin receptor blockade do not appear to alter

992 rupture risk, but an increased risk of rupture has been reported for patients who recently

993 discontinue ACE inhibitors.269

994 Some have suggested that serological evidence of Chlamydophili pneumonia infection

995 may be associated with AAA expansion,270 but a prospective randomized trial demonstrated that

996 azithromycin had no effect aneurysm enlargement.271 Doxycycline can inhibit matrix

997 metalloproteases in plasma and aneurysm tissue and, thus, has been proposed as an agent to

998 limit AAA growth. 272, 273 However, a randomized trial of low dose doxycycline (100 mg once

999 daily) demonstrated no reduction in aneurysm growth during an 18 month period.274 An ongoing

1000 NIH trial is examining the effectiveness of a higher dose of doxycycline (100 mg twice daily).

1001 In summary, during the surveillance period, patients should be counseled to cease

1002 smoking if tobacco products are being used. Patients should be encouraged to seek

1003 appropriate medical management for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other

1004 atherosclerotic risk factors. A statin and ACE inhibitor should be considered, given the broad

1005 potential benefits to cardiovascular disease and acceptable safety profile. Insufficient data

1006 currently exist to recommend use of doxycycline or roxithromycin. Patients should be counseled

1007 that moderate physical activity does not precipitate rupture or influence AAA growth rate.12, 275

1008 1009 1010 We recommend smoking cessation to reduce the risk of AAA growth and rupture. 1011 1012 Level of recommendation Strong 1013 Quality of evidence Moderate 1014 1015 1016 We suggest not administering statins, doxycycline, roxithromycin, ACE-inhibitors, or angiotensin 1017 receptor blockers for the sole purpose of reducing the risk of AAA expansion and rupture. 1018 1019 Level of recommendation Weak 1020 Quality of evidence Low

51

1021 We suggest not administering beta-blocker therapy for the sole purpose of reducing the risk of 1022 AAA expansion and rupture. 1023 1024 Level of recommendation Strong 1025 Quality of evidence Moderate 1026 1027 1028 1029 Timing of intervention. A patient with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm or pulsatile

1030 mass on abdominal exam who presents without hemodynamic instability and acute onset of

1031 back or abdominal pain should undergo an immediate CT scan to determine if rupture has

1032 occurred. While a ruptured AAA represents a surgical emergency, the timing of aneurysm

1033 repair for patients with a symptomatic but non-ruptured aneurysm represents a clinical dilemma.

1034 Under select circumstances, it may be appropriate to delay intervention for several hours to

1035 ensure conditions for successful repair, including optimizing anesthetic support, as well as blood

1036 product or device availability. If such an approach is elected, the patient should be closely

1037 monitored in an intensive care unit.

1038 A more frequent concern is the timing for treatment of an asymptomatic, large abdominal

1039 aortic aneurysm, greater than 5.4 cm in diameter. In the ADAM trial, rupture risk was estimated

1040 at 10% per year for aneurysms between 5.5 and 6.9 cm diameter, but over 33% per year when

1041 aneurysms were 7 cm or larger in diameter.38 Recent reports, however, suggest that

1042 contemporary rupture rates may be lower than previously estimated. For example, a pooled

1043 analysis from natural history studies and control arms from interventional trials, calculated a

1044 rupture risk of 6.3% per year for aneurysms larger than 7 cm in diameter.39 In general, should a

1045 patient be considered a surgical candidate, repair of a large aneurysm should not be unduly

1046 delayed. Pertinent preoperative assessment should be conducted in a timely manner in order to

1047 optimize outcomes, especially for patients with associated co-morbid conditions. Given the risk

1048 of rupture, both patient and family need to understand and accept the rationale for any delay

1049 related to further evaluation.

52

1050 Whether a recent surgical procedure, such as an abdominal colectomy, coronary artery

1051 bypass, or prostatectomy, can increase the likelihood of aneurysm rupture remains an unsettled

1052 question.71, 276 It has been suggested that inflammation and the induction of a catabolic state

1053 may result in enhanced collagen proteolysis with an increased risk of rupture. However, animal

1054 studies have not found evidence of increased aortic collagenase activity277 nor has this notion

1055 been supported by a prospective clinical study.278 It seems unlikely that the risk of aneurysm

1056 rupture is substantially increased by an unrelated operation and that a several week delay to

1057 enable satisfactory recovery is acceptable prior to elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

1058 In summary, the optimal timing of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is based on clinical

1059 presentation and aneurysm status: 1) a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm requires emergent

1060 repair; 2) a symptomatic, non-ruptured aneurysm is best treated urgently; and 3) an

1061 asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm can be treated electively following completion of

1062 preoperative assessment. Delay in the treatment of an asymptomatic, large abdominal aortic

1063 aneurysm should be minimized.

1064 1065 1066 We recommend immediate repair for patients who present with a ruptured aneurysm. 1067 1068 Level of recommendation Strong 1069 Quality of evidence High 1070 1071 1072 Should repair of a symptomatic AAA be delayed to optimize co-existing medical conditions, we 1073 recommend that the patient be monitored in an ICU-setting with blood products available. 1074 1075 Level of recommendation Strong 1076 Quality of evidence Low 1077 1078 1079 Assessment of operative risk and life expectancy. Several prediction models have

1080 been developed to estimate operative risk for open AAA repair and EVAR and hold the promise

1081 of better informing patients of their individual risk of perioperative mortality and provide

1082 surgeons a useful tool to ensure an informed discussion with patients and their families. Risk

53

1083 prediction models for aneurysm repair were first developed in the 1990s; largely derived from

1084 relatively small cohorts of several hundred patients treated by open surgical repair.279 The

1085 most well-known of this first generation of risk model were the Glasgow Aneurysm Score, the

1086 Leiden Score, and the Hardman Index. As one example, the Glasgow Aneurysm Score was

1087 developed from a cohort of 268 open AAA repairs, where 41% of patients presented with

1088 ruptured aneurysms and the overall mortality was 20%. The risk score accounted for age, the

1089 presence of shock, renal disease, and a history of myocardial or cerebrovascular disease.280

1090 The EUROSTAR collaborators suggested that the GAS could be used to estimate mortality for

1091 EVAR with 30 day mortality of 1.1% for GAS score < 74, 2.1% for GAS 74 to 84, and 5.3% for

1092 GAS > 84.281

1093 Over the past 7 years, a variety of new risk scoring schemes have been derived from

1094 an assessment of patients who have undergone either open repair or EVAR, in order to

1095 specifically account for the mortality risk associated with EVAR. Egarova used Medicare data

1096 to identify a EVAR patients with increased operative risk due to the presence of many of the

1097 same risk factors for mortality that had been previously identified among patients undergoing

1098 open repair, including age, renal failure, CHF, PAD, and liver disease.282 They found that only

1099 3.4% of Medicare patients undergoing EVAR had an operative risk > 5%, but a subset, which

1100 represented <1% of patients undergoing EVAR, was identified with a predicted mortality of >

1101 10%. In an analysis of Medicare patients undergoing open repair and EVAR, including a review

1102 of prior Medicare claims data to obtain a reliable assessment of pre-existing comorbidities,

1103 Schermerhorn found age, renal failure, heart failure, female sex, and peripheral or cerebral

1104 vascular disease to be predictive of perioperative mortality for either EVAR or open aneurysm

1105 repair (C-statistic 0.726).283 For the first time, a single scoring scheme was developed that

1106 could be applied to patients to assess risk for either EVAR or open surgical repair. Recently,

1107 Eslami and collaborators used the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) database to

1108 develop a new risk model, which included anatomic features, such as aneurysm diameter, neck

54

1109 length, and level of clamp placement that had not been incorporated in prior scoring schemes

1110 (C-statistic 0.822; Tables 6A and 6B).284 This model has since been validated using the

1111 Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database and has been recently endorsed by the VQI for risk

1112 stratification of patients under consideration for planned open repair or EVAR.

1113 The delivery of clinically appropriate care requires balancing operative risk with the

1114 likelihood of late survival. Patients with aortic aneurysms suffer higher rates of heart attacks,

1115 strokes, and major amputation and have an increase in five-year mortality compared with age-

1116 matched controls.56 Bahia and colleagues recently conducted a systematic review of long-term

1117 survival after aneurysm repair.56 Patients with large aneurysms, at greatest risk of rupture, also

1118 had significantly worse five-year survival. As one would anticipate, many of the same risk

1119 factors for perioperative death also impact life expectancy. One-year survival after hospital

1120 admission for heart failure is 60%. One-year survival after initiation of dialysis is 85%, but

1121 decreases for those with significant comorbidities to 60%. The three-year survival after initiating

1122 home oxygen therapy for COPD is 60%. In the EVAR-2 trial, patients with severe coronary

1123 artery disease, COPD, or poor renal function were considered ineligible for open repair. While

1124 the study has been criticized for its trial design, EVAR did not impact overall survival. Two year

1125 survival was 60% and five year survival was 35%.285 De Martino et al. assessed survival after

1126 EVAR within the VSGNE population using the EVAR-2 trial criteria.286 Five-year survival for

1127 patients with aneurysms smaller than 6.5 cm was 46% and for patients with aneurysms larger

1128 than 6.5 cm, five-year survival was 28%. In a recent study, those patients declined for AAA

1129 repair had a 2-year survival of 35%.287 Thus, for a patient with high operative risk and

1130 shortened life expectancy, rupture risk must be high to benefit from EVAR.

1131 1132 1133 We recommend informing patients contemplating open repair or EVAR of their VQI 1134 perioperative mortality risk score. 1135 1136 Level of recommendation Weak 1137 Quality of evidence Low 1138

55

1139 Endovascular aneurysm repair

1140 Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair has rapidly expanded as the preferred approach

1141 for treatment of AAA since the first report more than 25 years ago.288, 289 Since the introduction

1142 of EVAR, the annual number of deaths from intact and ruptured AAAs has significantly

1143 decreased in the United States. This has coincided with an increase in elective AAA repair and

1144 a decrease in the diagnosis and repair of ruptured AAAs.23

1145 Considerations for percutaneous repair. EVAR has evolved since its inception with

1146 the development lower profile delivery sheaths that are tapered, flexible, and coated for low-

1147 resistance introduction into the femoral arteries. Concomitantly, devices have been designed to

1148 facilitate percutaneous closure of femoral artery puncture sites of increasing dimension.

1149 Together, this has reduced the requirement for open surgical exposure of the femoral artery. A

1150 randomized study comparing open exposure and the percutaneous “preclose” technique using

1151 the Perclose ProGlide® (Abbott Vascular, Inc.) device demonstrated both safety and

1152 effectiveness.290 Following femoral artery access, systemic anticoagulation with 100 U/kg of

1153 intravenous heparin is recommended with a target activated clotting time ≥ 300 sec.

1154 Infrarenal fixation. EVAR requires non-aneurysmal proximal and distal attachment

1155 sites or sealing zones as dictated by device specific instructions for use. Most endografts that

1156 are dependent upon infrarenal fixation have required a proximal sealing zone of at least 15 mm

1157 in length, a neck diameter less than 32 mm, and a neck angulation of less than 60°. Several

1158 devices now report efficacy with shorter neck lengths and more severe levels of angulations.

1159 Use of devices outside recommended parameters increase the risk of device migration, delayed

1160 Type IA endoleaks, and aneurysm rupture.

1161 Suprarenal fixation. Suprarenal fixation has been proposed as a more effective

1162 means of proximal fixation when the morphologic features of the proximal aortic neck are

1163 unfavorable, including shortened neck length, severe angulation, reverse taper, barrel-shaped

1164 neck, circumferential mural thrombus, or extensive neck calcification. While concerns have

56

1165 been raised regarding the risks of renal or mesenteric embolization, occlusion, and end-organ

1166 ischemia, observational studies have documented the efficacy and safety of suprarenal

1167 fixation.291-295 Rates of renal dysfunction appear to be equivalent for endografts that utilize

1168 nitinol or stainless steel transrenal stents and not significantly different than that observed with

1169 infrarenal fixation.294 Although suprarenal fixation may produce a higher incidence of small renal

1170 infarcts, in most patients these do not appear to be clinically significant. The presence of renal

1171 dysfunction after EVAR with suprarenal fixation is likely multifactorial and transient in most

1172 patients.296 Nonetheless, renal artery occlusion and infarctions have been reported in patients

1173 with pre-existing renal artery occlusive disease and, while infrequent, visceral dysfunction and

1174 celiac or mesenteric artery occlusion may occur secondary to suprarenal fixation.297-300 One

1175 report showed no difference in renal function between the two device types, whereas another

1176 study demonstrates a reduction in renal function after the use of a suprarenal fixation device.301,

1177 302 A recent meta-analysis examining the renal complications after standard EVAR with

1178 suprarenal and infrarenal fixation demonstrated no difference in renal complications.303

1179 Management of the internal iliac artery. Exclusion of the hypogastric artery (HA) to

1180 prevent a type II endoleak is usually required when the aneurysm involves either the distal

1181 common iliac artery or the HA itself. 304-308 Several observational studies have revealed that

1182 unilateral embolization of the HA can be performed during EVAR with minimal adverse events

1183 as long as the contralateral HA is patent.305, 306 Although ipsilateral buttock claudication and

1184 erectile dysfunction have been reported to occur in up to 40% of patients after unilateral HA

1185 embolization, these symptoms tend to improve and abate over time.309 Indeed, one of the

1186 largest series of patients undergoing HA interruption during AAA repair revealed that persistent

1187 buttock claudication developed in 12% of unilateral and 11% of bilateral HA interruptions,

1188 whereas impotence occurred in 9% of unilateral and 13% of bilateral HA embolizations.310 In

1189 addition, the occurrence of these events is reduced if patency of the internal iliac artery

1190 bifurcation remains intact as illustrated in one small study using an Amplatzer vascular plug to

57

1191 occlude only the main trunk of the HA.311 A more recent report demonstrates no clinical

1192 difference between coils and plug embolization.312 Despite concerns about prolonged

1193 procedural time and increased amount of contrast, concomitant unilateral HA embolization

1194 during EVAR has been shown to be safe and effective, as compared to a staged approach.313

1195 Bilateral HA occlusion with endograft extension into both external iliac arteries is

1196 occasionally required in high-risk patients when there is no distal fixation zone in either common

1197 iliac artery or the aneurysm involves both common and internal iliac arteries. Although

1198 antegrade flow into at least one of HA should be maintained, if possible, bilateral HA

1199 embolization may be necessary in some situations. Initial concerns about life-threatening pelvic

1200 or colonic ischemia and neurologic deficits after bilateral HA interruption during EVAR may have

1201 been overestimated as several recent reports suggest that such devastating complications are

1202 exceedingly rare.305, 314-316 The risks associated with bilateral HA occlusion are restricted to

1203 more severe, persistent and frequent buttock claudication and erectile dysfunction.317

1204 Technical considerations that may reduce the incidence of adverse events when bilateral

1205 HA embolization is required include a staged approach, embolization of only the proximal main

1206 trunk of the HA, and preservation of collateral branches from the common and deep femoral

1207 arteries.305, 316 Alternative considerations to avoid bilateral HA embolization during EVAR include

1208 open or endovascular revascularization of at least one internal iliac artery.318, 319 FDA approved

1209 iliac branch graft devices have been developed or under review to maintain ipsilateral internal

1210 iliac perfusion.320-322 These devices have displayed satisfactory early outcomes and should be

1211 considered prior to embolization in appropriate circumstances.

1212 With the advent of endovascular repair techniques, the continued necessity of

1213 maintaining pelvic blood flow has been called into question. Several clinical series have used

1214 internal iliac artery embolization as an adjunct to extend the indications of EVAR in patients with

1215 aneurysms involving of the iliac bifurcation. Mehta and associates reported no mortality or

1216 increased morbidity in 48 patients who had interruption of both internal iliac arteries during open

58

1217 or endovascular aortic repair.314 However, buttock claudication and new onset erectile

1218 dysfunction were noted in 42% and 14% of the patients, respectively. The incidence of

1219 postoperative sexual dysfunction and buttock claudication varies widely in the literature, ranging

1220 from 16% to 50% for unilateral and 16% to 80% for bilateral internal iliac artery embolization,

1221 underscoring the difficulty of causal association in the setting of significant co-morbidities

1222 present in the older patient demographic at risk for AAA disease.323 Several endovascular

1223 techniques have been described to preserve internal iliac artery flow, including the development

1224 of commercially available aortoliac endografts that incorporate an iliac branch.324-327

1225 1226 1227 We recommend preservation of flow to at least one internal iliac artery. 1228 1229 Level of recommendation Strong 1230 Quality of evidence High 1231 1232 1233 We recommend using FDA approved branch endograft devices in anatomically suitable patients 1234 to maintain perfusion to at least one internal iliac artery. 1235 1236 Level of recommendation Strong 1237 Quality of evidence High 1238 1239 1240 We recommend staging bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion by at least one to two weeks if 1241 required for EVAR. 1242 1243 Level of recommendation Strong 1244 Quality of evidence High 1245 1246

1247 Management of associated vascular disease. Co-existence of other vascular disease

1248 with an AAA is common. Several series reporting observations of have

1249 documented greater than 50% stenosis in 20-40% of renal arteries, 10-15% of celiac or superior

1250 mesenteric branches, and 20-30% of iliac vessels.328, 329

1251 The decision to intervene is based upon a consideration of severity of associated

1252 lesions; presumed natural history of the diseased vessel and end organ; and anticipated

59

1253 morbidity and mortality risk of combined repair. Prophylactic treatment of associated

1254 asymptomatic renal or mesenteric artery disease cannot be justified.330, 331 The exception may

1255 be the patient presenting with high grade stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and

1256 a meandering mesenteric artery that is based off of a large inferior mesenteric artery (IMA),

1257 which will be sacrificed during the course of treatment. A decision to repair each lesion should

1258 be based upon its own individual merits and indications. If endovascular treatment is judged to

1259 be beneficial, it is recommended that it be performed in a staged manner rather than

1260 concomitantly with the planned EVAR procedure. Iliac and femoral artery lesions may be

1261 treated at the time of EVAR to facilitate endograft delivery and to correct underlying pathology

1262 that may be contributing to lower extremity ischemic symptoms.

1263 Accessory renal arteries are present in 15 to 20% of patients and occasionally may arise

1264 from the aneurysm itself.328 Whether an accessory renal artery requires preservation is

1265 dependent on the size of the artery, its contribution to the renal parenchyma, and the presence

1266 of co-existing kidney disease. Renal infarction after occlusion of an accessory renal arteries is

1267 common, occurring in 84% of kidneys, but it is well tolerated in most patients, without significant

1268 impact on long-term glomerular filtration rate.332 Nonetheless, preservation should be

1269 considered for large accessory renal arteries (≥ 3 mm) or accessory renal arteries providing

1270 more than one-third of arterial flow to the kidney, particularly in the presence of pre-existing

1271 renal dysfunction.333, 334

1272 1273 1274 We suggest renal artery or superior mesenteric angioplasty and stenting for selected patients 1275 with symptomatic disease prior to EVAR or OSR. 1276 1277 Level of recommendation Weak 1278 Quality of evidence Low 1279 1280 1281 1282

60

1283 We suggest prophylactic treatment of an asymptomatic, high-grade stenosis of the SMA in the 1284 presence of a meandering mesenteric artery based off of a large IMA, which will be sacrificed 1285 during the course of treatment. 1286 1287 Level of recommendation Weak 1288 Quality of evidence Low 1289 1290 1291 We suggest preservation of accessory renal arteries at the time of EVAR or OSR if the artery is 1292 3 mm or larger in diameter or supplies more than one-third of the renal parenchyma. 1293 1294 Level of recommendation Weak 1295 Quality of evidence Low 1296 1297 1298

1299 Perioperative outcomes of elective EVAR

1300 Incidence of 30-day and in-hospital mortality. The UK EVAR-1, Dutch DREAM, US

1301 Veterans Affairs OVER, and French ACE multicenter randomized trials collectively randomized

1302 2,790 patients to EVAR or open repair.335-338 The two largest trials (EVAR-1 and OVER)

1303 demonstrated a statistically significant mortality benefit with EVAR and pooled analysis from all

1304 four trials confirmed the benefit of EVAR with a mortality of 1.4% as compared to 4.2% for open

1305 surgery (OR 0.3; 95%CI 0.22-0.50, p < 0.0001).339 A review of 79,932 Medicare patients

1306 confirmed that these results are representative of current outcomes with an overall mortality of

1307 5.2% for open repair and 1.6% for EVAR (OR 3.2; 95%CI 2.95-3.51).340 Outcomes after AAA

1308 repair are related to experience. While earlier studies341, 342 suggested that the minimum

1309 hospital threshold for optimal outcomes is 8 to 10 EVAR cases per year, a recent risk-adjusted

1310 analysis of 122,495 Medicare patients undergoing elective EVAR between 2001 and 2008

1311 observed that operative mortality is directly related to medical center volume.343 The odds ratio

1312 for elective perioperative mortality adjusted for surgeon volume was lowest for centers that

1313 perform at least 30 EVAR cases per year.

1314

1315

61

1316 1317 1318 We suggest that elective EVAR be performed at centers with a volume of at least 10 EVAR 1319 cases each year and a documented perioperative mortality and conversion rate to OSR of 2% 1320 or less. 1321 1322 Level of recommendation Weak 1323 Quality of evidence Low 1324 1325

1326 Perioperative morbidity. Estimated blood loss is significantly lower with EVAR than

1327 open repair.344 While major complications were not different in randomized controlled trials, in

1328 a review of Medicare patients, most major complications were lower with EVAR including

1329 pneumonia (3.8% vs. 12.9%, p < 0.001), acute renal failure (4.3% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001), MI

1330 (2.5% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), and bowel ischemia (0.6% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001). EVAR patients

1331 were also more likely to be discharged to home rather than to skilled nursing facility (95% vs.

1332 83%, p < 0.001). The need to convert from EVAR to open repair decreased over time (2.2% in

1333 2001 to 0.3% in 2008). Median length of stay was 2 days after EVAR as compared to 7 days

1334 after open repair (p < 0.001).

1335 Endoleak. Type IA endoleak is noted in 6% of procedures at the time of implantation

1336 and may be due to mural thrombus, calcification, angulation, neck tapering, or excessive graft

1337 under- or over-sizing.345-347 Initial management is angioplasty with a compliant balloon, followed

1338 by extension cuff placement. Additional maneuvers include placement of a Palmaz® balloon

1339 expandable stent or endo-stapling345, 348. Conversion to open repair is not recommended unless

1340 rupture or significant, uncorrectable, device maldeployment is noted. A Type IA endoleak may

1341 occasionally resolve after reversal of heparin and no longer be evident on postoperative CT

1342 imaging.349 A persistent Type IA endoleak may be treated by placement of a fenestrated

1343 device350, 351, proximal cuff extension with chimney grafts to the renal arteries352, 353, external

1344 banding, embolization with coils or glue, or conversion to open surgery. Insufficient data exist to

1345 recommend a particular strategy. A Type IB endoleak is treated initially by repeat balloon

62

1346 angioplasty and, as needed, by graft extension. Coil embolization of the hypogastric artery may

1347 be required when the graft is extended into the external iliac artery. A Type II endoleak is

1348 common at the time of implantation and is observed in 10 to 20% of patients at 1 month follow-

1349 up on CT imaging.354, 355 A Type II endoleak is not treated at the time of implantation. A Type III

1350 endoleak is treated by angioplasty of component overlap sites or by placement of an additional

1351 conduit.356 A Type IV endoleak is self-limited and treatment is not required.

1352 Access site complications. Early experience with EVAR using open femoral artery

1353 exposure were associated with a high rate of access site related complications (13%), including

1354 arterial dissection or perforation (1.4%), bleeding, hematoma, or false aneurysm (6.6%), arterial

1355 thrombosis (2.2%), embolization (1.1%), wound infection, skin necrosis, or lymphocele (1.4%),

1356 and amputation (0.1%).357 In a multicenter randomized control trial, percutaneous access was

1357 superior to open femoral artery excess with a shorter procedure time (107 vs. 141 min, p =

1358 0.004) and fewer access complications (6% vs. 10%, p = 0.005) with a 96% technical success

1359 rate.290 A systematic review and a recent NSQIP review also demonstrated a high technical

1360 success rate, shorter operative time (135 vs. 152 min), shorter length of stay (1 vs. 2 days), and

1361 fewer wound complications (1 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.02).358-361 Percutaneous access may not be

1362 appropriate for patients with small vessels, a high femoral artery bifurcation, or in the presence

1363 of calcification or a femoral aneurysm. In addition, a history of prior groin surgery with or

1364 without a vascular graft or patch and obesity may reduce success rates.362-366 Percutaneous

1365 access with large sheaths is improved by ultrasound guidance.362, 367-369

1366 Acute limb thrombosis. Early graft limb thrombosis may occur in 2% of patients due to

1367 the placement of a large limb in a small vessel, iliac tortuosity with graft kinking, inadequate

1368 angioplasty or stenting, arterial dissection, or injury at the access site.335, 336, 346, 370-372

1369 Post-implantation syndrome. A self-limited inflammatory state characterized by fever

1370 and elevated inflammatory markers may be observed after EVAR as a result of new thrombus

1371 formation within the excluded aneurysm sac.373-377

63

1372 Ischemic colitis. Colon ischemia due to occlusion of the inferior mesenteric or

1373 hypogastric arteries or embolization is rare after EVAR (< 1%).310, 340, 372, 378, 379 Circumflex

1374 femoral and circumflex iliac arteries should be preserved should hypogastric artery occlusion be

1375 planned. Suspected colonic ischemia should be assessed by endoscopy and, if confirmed,

1376 antibiotics administered and the patient maintained on intravenous fluids. Colectomy should be

1377 performed if full thickness necrosis is suspected.

1378

1379 Role of elective EVAR in the high-risk and unfit patient

1380 The EVAR-2 trial compared EVAR to observation and found no benefit to EVAR for

1381 patients who were considered unfit for open repair due to a history of MI or cardiac

1382 revascularization, stable angina, valvular heart disease, significant arrhythmia, uncontrolled

285 1383 congestive heart failure, FEV1 < 1 L, or serum creatinine > 2.3 mg/dL. However, of those

1384 randomized to EVAR only 179 of 197 (91%) underwent surgery; 14 deaths and 9 ruptures

1385 occurred prior to surgery, which occurred at a median of 55 days after randomization.

1386 Operative mortality for those randomized to EVAR was 8.4% (6.4% for elective repair). Of 207

1387 patients randomized to observation, 70 (34%) crossed over to EVAR; 64 (31%) were repaired

1388 electively, with an operative mortality of 3%.

1389 Among the many lessons learned from EVAR-2 and other data, it is evident there is a

1390 subgroup of patients who are not fit for open repair, which are also at high risk for EVAR. It is

1391 this subgroup that may be identified using the VQI risk model and should be considered for non-

1392 operative management. There may also be patients who while high risk for open surgery are

1393 reasonable risk for EVAR. Additionally, as noted in one third of patients randomized to

1394 observation in EVAR-2, fitness may be improved by optimization of co-morbid disease to the

1395 extent that EVAR may then be considered.

1396

1397

64

1398 1399 1400 We suggest informing high-risk patients of their VQI perioperative mortality risk score in order to 1401 make an informed decision to proceed with aneurysm repair. 1402 1403 Level of recommendation Weak 1404 Quality of evidence Low 1405 1406

1407 Open surgical repair

1408 Indications. Open surgical repair of a AAA continues to be used for patients who do not

1409 meet the anatomical requirements for endovascular repair, including short or angulated landing

1410 zones, excessive thrombus, multiple large accessory renal arteries, or small and tortuous

1411 access vessels with concomitant occlusive disease. However, fenestrated, branched and the

1412 use of chimney or snorkel grafts has expanded the range of complex aortic anatomy potentially

1413 treatable by EVAR. Open surgical repair may be required for treatment of a persistent endoleak

1414 and aneurysm sac growth after EVAR or for treatment of a mycotic aneurysm or infected graft.

1415 Surgical approach. OSR can be performed using either a trans-peritoneal or left-flank

1416 retroperitoneal approach (Table 7). Indications for each type of approach are largely based on

1417 patient anatomy, comorbidities and surgeon preference. The trans-peritoneal approach is

1418 typically performed using a generous midline incision from the xyphoid process to the

1419 symphysis pubis. Extension of the incision alongside the xyphoid process releases rectus

1420 aponeurosis and facilitates exposure in the obese patient or in those with more proximal aortic

1421 disease. A mini-laparotomy (15 cm) has been used in select patients. A transperitoneal

1422 approach can be performed rapidly and is versatile, allowing assessment of intra-abdominal

1423 pathology and easy access to the visceral and iliac arteries. Transverse incisions just above the

1424 umbilicus also yield excellent exposure to the suprarenal aorta and bilateral iliac bifurcations.

1425 Proponents of the retroperitoneal approach claim various physiologic benefits, including

1426 significant reduction in fluid losses, cardiac stress, pulmonary complications, and ileus.

65

1427 However, prospective randomized studies have generated conflicting results.380, 381 The

1428 measurable benefits attributed to retroperitoneal exposure were primarily a shorter duration of

1429 ileus and earlier resumption of oral intake. Sieunarne reported no difference in a randomized

1430 comparison of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches for infrarenal AAA repair, except

1431 for higher rates of incisional pain, bulge and hernias in the retroperitoneal group.382

1432 The retroperitoneal approach may be preferred for repair of a suprarenal aneurysm

1433 because exposure can be facilitated by division of the left diaphragmatic crura. However, in a

1434 majority of patients repair of juxtarenal and pararenal aneurysms can be performed using a

1435 transperitoneal approach with excellent outcomes.383, 384 Although some surgeons routinely

1436 ligate or divide the left renal vein to expose the suprarenal aorta in the course of using a

1437 transperitoenal approach, others do not.383, 384 An important indication for the retroperitoneal

1438 approach is the presence of a “hostile abdomen” due to prior intra-abdominal operations,

1439 radiation, incisional hernia, stoma, enterocutaneous fistula. In addition, a retroperitoneal

1440 approach can facilitate repair of an inflammatory aneurysm or aneurysm associated with a

1441 horseshoe kidney.385, 386

1442 1443 1444 We recommend a retroperitoneal approach for patients requiring open surgical repair of an 1445 inflammatory aneurysm, horseshoe kidney, or an aortic aneurysm in the presence of a hostile 1446 abdomen. 1447 1448 Level of recommendation Strong 1449 Quality of evidence Low 1450 1451 1452 1453 We suggest a retroperitoneal exposure or a transperitoneal approach with a transverse 1454 abdominal incision for patients with significant pulmonary disease requiring open surgical repair. 1455 1456 Level of recommendation Weak 1457 Quality of evidence Low 1458 1459

66

1460 Aortic clamping. Selection of the ideal clamp site and extent of reconstruction is based

1461 on analysis of cross-sectional aortic imaging including proximal aneurysm extension, iliac

1462 occlusive or aneurysmal disease, concomitant renal and mesenteric disease, anomalous

1463 venous anatomy, and presence of calcium, thrombus or atherosclerotic debris.

1464 The location of the clamp site should take into consideration the proximal extension of

1465 the aneurysm, as well as the structural integrity of the aortic wall. Ideally, the clamp site should

1466 be relatively free of thrombus, atherosclerotic debris or calcification. Other important

1467 considerations include presence of concomitant visceral aortic disease and unusual venous

1468 anatomy, such as a retro-aortic renal vein or left-sided vena cava. The aortic clamp should be

1469 placed in the most caudal position possible to avoid unnecessary renal and visceral ischemia,

1470 while allowing a safe anastomosis into healthy aortic wall. For repair of an infrarenal aortic

1471 aneurysm, the clamp is placed immediately below the level of the lowest renal artery, while the

1472 graft is anastomosed to a rim of normal aortic wall below the level of the clamp. Performing the

1473 proximal anastomosis within healthy aorta is important to minimize the risk of aneurysmal

1474 degeneration at or above the graft.

1475 The transperitoneal approach is typically performed using a midline incision from the

1476 xyphoid to the symphysis pubis or, in select cases, a mini-laparotomy incision. After placement

1477 of a self-retaining retractor, the transverse colon is retracted cephalad and the small bowel

1478 mesentery to the right side of the abdomen, splaying the retro-peritoneum and aortic aneurysm.

1479 The retroperitoneum is incised to the left side of the aorta, avoiding the IMA. The inferior

1480 mesenteric vein may need to be divided to avoid inadvertent traction injury or avulsion by fixed

1481 retractors used to assist in exposing the infrarenal aortic neck. The left renal vein may need to

1482 be mobilized and, if suprarenal clamp placement required, division of the gonadal, adrenal and

1483 lumbo-renal branches of the renal vein will facilitate its mobilization. Should division of the left

1484 renal vein be planned to optimize exposure of the aortic neck, the gonadal, adrenal, and lumbar

1485 branches should be preserved to provide collateral flow from the kidney. In the presence of

67

1486 significant mural thrombus at the level of the aortic neck, isolation and temporary occlusion of

1487 the renal arteries may be warranted to minimize the risk of renal artery embolization at the time

1488 of clamp placement.

1489 If the aneurysm extends above the renal arteries or significant aortic calcification is

1490 present, it may be preferable to clamp the supraceliac aorta.387, 388 Patients in which an aortic

1491 aneurysm required a suprarenal clamp have an increased risk of renal dysfunction and

1492 morbidity, but similar 30 day mortality, as compared to those in which an infrarenal clamp site

1493 was sufficient for repair an AAA.383, 384, 389 Visceral vessel control is not necessary as

1494 backbleeding is minimal following supraceliac aortic crossclamp application.

1495 The sequence of clamping should begin with the least diseased segment to avoid the

1496 risk of distal embolization. Typically the iliac arteries are clamped first, followed by the proximal

1497 aorta. Distal clamping is always at the level of the iliac arteries, since aneurysm disease usually

1498 extends to the aortic bifurcation even in patients with planned reconstruction using a tube graft.

1499 If the common iliac arteries are aneurysmal, the external iliac arteries need to be dissected and

1500 controlled separately. The internal iliac arteries may require balloon occlusion, if external

1501 clamping is not feasible.

1502 Systemic anticoagulation with 100 U/kg of intravenous heparin is recommended for

1503 elective aneurysm repair, irrespective of the location of the aortic clamp. Heparin administration

1504 may be omitted or used in lower doses in special circumstances of a ruptured aneurysm or

1505 other unusual situations. In these cases, the graft is vigorously flushed prior to restoration of

1506 blood flow, or limited amounts of heparinized saline may be instilled directly into the distal

1507 vessels after placement if the proximal aortic clamp. In patients with history of heparin-induced

1508 thrombocytopenia, a thrombin inhibitor, such as Bivalirudin or Argatroban may be used as an

1509 alterative.

1510

1511

68

1512 1513 1514 We recommend a thrombin inhibitor, such as Bivalirudin or Argatroban as an alternative to 1515 heparin for patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. 1516 1517 Level of recommendation Strong 1518 Quality of evidence Moderate 1519 1520

1521 Graft type and configuration. There is no significant difference in patency, durability,

1522 resistance to infection, or risk of degeneration or dilatation of currently used prosthetic materials.

1523 Differences in methods of fabrication of polyester grafts include knitted or woven, external or

1524 double velour, high or low porosity. Polyester grafts can be rendered impermeable by various

1525 biologic coatings, including collagen, gelatin or albumin. Graft impregnation with silver or

1526 Rifampin has been used to enhance resistance to infection. Routine use of Rifampin

1527 impregnated polyester grafts in which used gelatin-coated polyester grafts are soaked in

1528 Rifampin solution (1 mg/mL) for 15 to 30 minutes or silver impregnated grafts to limit the risk of

1529 device associated infection has not proven to be beneficial in prospective or multicenter

1530 studies.390-393

1531 Graft configuration can be a straight tube or bifurcated. The location of the distal

1532 anastomosis is at the aortic bifurcation, iliac or femoral artery. A tube graft is preferable when

1533 feasible due to shortened operative time, reduced blood loss and need for dissection,

1534 minimizing risk of inadvertent injury to the ureter, iliac , and autonomic nerves. In the era

1535 prior to widespread adoption of EVAR, approximately 40% to 50% of patients could be treated

1536 with a tube graft.394 In the Canadian Aneurysm Trial, graft configuration was straight in 39%,

1537 aorto-bi-iliac in 31%, aortobifemoral in 24%, and aorto-iliac and femoral in 7%.395 Bifurcated

1538 grafts are indicated when the distal aorta and common iliac arteries are aneurysmal, which

1539 occurs in one third of patients.396 In the presence of iliac aneurysmal disease, the distal

1540 anastomosis should be performed immediately proximal to the iliac bifurcation to reduce the risk

69

1541 of late aneurysmal degeneration. Patients with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease may

1542 benefit from distal graft anastomosis to the distal external iliac or common femoral arteries.

1543 However, graft extension to the femoral arteries increases the risk of wound infection, limb

1544 thrombosis, and anastomotic aneurysm formation.395 Assuming normal iliac arteries have been

1545 selected for the distal anastomosis, the risk of progressive distal aneurysmal or occlusive iliac

1546 disease is relatively low.394, 397

1547 1548 1549 We recommend straight tube grafts for open surgical repair of AAA in the absence of significant 1550 disease of the iliac arteries. 1551 1552 Level of recommendation Strong 1553 Quality of evidence High 1554 1555 1556 We recommend performing the proximal aortic anastomosis as close to the renal arteries as 1557 possible. 1558 1559 Level of recommendation Strong 1560 Quality of evidence High 1561 1562 1563 We recommend that all portions of an aortic graft be excluded from direct contact with the 1564 intestinal contents of the peritoneal cavity. 1565 1566 Level of recommendation Strong 1567 Quality of evidence High 1568 1569

1570 Maintenance of pelvic circulation. Perfusion of the colon, rectum and pelvis is

1571 provided by a complex collateral network from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and IMA

1572 via the marginal artery of Drummond, the internal iliac arteries, and additional collaterals from

1573 the circumflex iliac, common and deep femoral arteries. Inadequate pelvic circulation can lead

1574 to sexual dysfunction, as well as hip and buttock claudication. Less frequently, colon or spinal

1575 ischemia may ensue. For example, in the Canadian Aneurysm Study, the risk of colon ischemia

1576 increased eight-fold (0.3% to 2.6%) when both internal iliac arteries were occluded compared to

70

1577 when at least one of the internal iliac arteries was preserved.395, 396 Thus, all efforts should be

1578 made to preserve perfusion to at least one internal iliac artery.

1579 Colonic ischemia following aortic repair is multifactorial in origin, but ligation of a patent

1580 IMA during reconstruction remains a risk factor.398 The IMA is occluded in 40% to 50% of the

1581 patients with aortic disease because of ostial or mural thrombus. The value of

1582 routine re-implantation of a patent IMA has not been established, but selective re-implantation

1583 may be of value in the presence of compromised pelvic perfusion, particularly when the

1584 marginal artery is interrupted due to prior colectomy.379, 399 A prospective randomized study

1585 suggested that IMA re-implantation is beneficial in patients of advanced age and when intra-

1586 operative blood loss has been substantial.400 Likewise, re-implantation of the IMA should be

1587 considered in patients with underlying celiac and SMA occlusive disease, particularly in the

1588 presence of a large meandering artery. The IMA can be easily controlled prior to opening the

1589 aneurysm using a vessel loop and reimplantation to an aortic graft performed using a Carrel

1590 patch technique, in which a small button of aortic wall is dissected free from adherent thrombus

1591 and calcific debris. In the Canadian Aneurysm Trial, IMA re-implantation was used in 5% of the

1592 patients, but was associated with increased risk of postoperative bleeding.395 Preservation of

1593 antegrade flow into at least one of the internal iliac arteries is recommended, whenever

1594 possible. For patients treated by open surgical repair this can be usually achieved by distal

1595 anastomosis to the iliac bifurcation, end-to-side-anastomosis at the external iliac artery with

1596 retrograde flow into the internal iliac artery, or a separate bypass graft to the internal iliac artery.

1597 1598 1599 1600 We recommend reimplantation of a patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) under circumstances 1601 that suggest an increased risk of colonic ischemia. 1602 1603 Level of recommendation Strong 1604 Quality of evidence High 1605 1606 1607

71

1608 We recommend preserving blood flow to at least one hypogastric artery in the course of OSR. 1609 1610 Level of recommendation Strong 1611 Quality of evidence High 1612 1613

1614 Management of associated intra-abdominal vascular disease. Occlusive disease of

1615 the celiac and SMA is present in 10% of patients, whereas renal artery disease may occur in up

1616 to 40%. Since the morbidity and mortality of aortic repair is increased by concomitant renal or

1617 mesenteric reconstruction, such procedures are only indicated in the presence of symptomatic

1618 disease.

1619 Pearce and colleagues reported a 30-day mortality of 3% among 678 patients treated for

1620 abdominal aortic aneurysms with concomitant renal artery reconstruction.401 However,

1621 mesenteric artery reconstruction combined with aortic reconstruction carries higher mortality

1622 rate and should be avoided unless clinically indicated.402 Thus, should open AAA repair be

1623 required in the presence of renal or mesenteric artery disease, a staged approach with initial

1624 stenting should be pursued.

1625 1626 1627 We suggest concomitant surgical treatment of other visceral arterial disease at the time of open 1628 surgical repair in symptomatic patients who are not candidates for catheter-based intervention. 1629 1630 Level of recommendation Weak 1631 Quality of evidence Moderate 1632 1633 1634 1635 Management of associated intra-abdominal nonvascular disease. In the

1636 occurrence of an AAA and associated intra-abdominal pathology, the most life-threatening

1637 condition should be treated first. Simultaneous repair is avoided because of added morbidity

1638 and, in the case of genitourinary or gastrointestinal procedures, the risk of bacterial

1639 contamination of the prosthesis.

72

1640 Cholelithiasis is the most common abdominal pathology with a prevalence of 5% to 20%.

1641 Asymptomatic cholelithiasis should be left untreated since the risk of acute cholecystitis after

1642 elective AAA repair is <1%.403 In the presence of a large aneurysm, treatment of a colorectal

1643 tumor takes precedence in the presence of impending obstruction, bleeding or perforation.

1644 Otherwise, colon resection should be delayed for four to six weeks after AAA repair.404

1645 Simultaneous resection of ovarian or renal tumors may be considered if a staged minimally

1646 invasive treatment is not feasible.

1647 1648 1649 We suggest concomitant surgical repair of an AAA and co-existent cholecystitis or an 1650 intraabdominal tumor in patients who are not candidates for EVAR or staged intervention. 1651 1652 Level of recommendation Weak 1653 Quality of evidence Low 1654 1655

1656 Perioperative outcomes after open AAA repair. Factors affecting mortality of OSR

1657 include surgeon and hospital volume, urgency of the procedure, patient age, presence and

1658 severity of comorbidities and proximal aneurysm extension. Presence of symptomatic coronary

1659 artery disease, congestive heart failure, severe chronic pulmonary disease and advanced

1660 chronic kidney disease remain the most important predictors of mortality.340 There has been

1661 considerable variation in 30-day mortality rates in the literature, depending on the type of study

1662 reported and its design.405 Elective 30-day mortality for infrarenal AAA OSR in most

1663 contemporary large single-center institutional reports has ranged from 1% to 4%. 81, 406, 407

1664 Population-based studies, derived from state and national databases, indicate higher mortality

1665 rates of 4% to 8% across the entire spectrum of hospitals and health care organizations.5, 81, 117,

1666 395, 408-413 Recent multicenter, prospective, randomized trials have demonstrated 30-day

1667 mortality of 3% to 4.7%.344, 414, 415 Analyses of outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries indicates that

1668 OSR mortality, while improved in the last decade, remains higher than that associated with

73

1669 EVAR for every age category.340 Similarly, the morbidity of OSR is significantly higher compared

1670 to EVAR, particularly cardiac, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal and wound-related

1671 complications (Table 8). Finally, recent studies have shown that over 20% of the patients

1672 treated by OSR require reoperations for laparotomy-related complications within 8-years.340

1673 The impact of individual surgeon and hospital volume on outcomes of AAA OSR has

1674 been documented in several studies.117, 410, 416, 417 A review of national Medicare claims by

1675 Birkmeyer indicated that 30-day mortality was 8% for low volume hospitals (<17/year) compared

1676 to 4.4% in high volume hospitals (>79/year).416 Surgeon volume and prior dedicated vascular

1677 training also affect mortality of OSR. Dimick reported that elective AAA mortality was lowest

1678 when operations were performed by vascular surgeons (2.2%), as compared to cardiac

1679 surgeons (4%) and general surgeons (5.5%)(p < 0.001).418 Using a risk-adjusted analysis, high

1680 hospital volume, vascular surgery specialty, and high surgeon volume were independent

1681 predictors for lower risk of in-hospital mortality after elective AAA repair. In that study, absolute

1682 risk reduction for operations performed in high-volume hospitals and high-volume surgeons was

1683 30% and 40%, respectively. AAA repair performed by general surgeon increased risk of death

1684 by 76% compared to repair performed by vascular surgeon.418 A recent risk-adjusted analysis

1685 of 122,495 Medicare patients undergoing elective AAA repair between 2001 and 2008 notes

1686 that the mortality for open surgical repair is directly related to medical center volume.343 The

1687 odds ratio for elective perioperative mortality was lowest for centers that perform at least 18

1688 open repairs and was less than 5%.343

1689 Accurate assessment of open surgical expertise and the applicability of outcome data

1690 acquired in the pre-endovascular era will be areas of concern as the volume of OSR continues

1691 to decline in the United States with anticipated reduction in the prevalence of cigarette smoking

1692 and expanding options for complex endovascular aneurysm repair. Care should be taken in

1693 extrapolating current outcomes for OSR from data obtained before the widespread availability of

1694 endovascular devices.

74

1695 1696 1697 We suggest that elective OSR for AAA be performed at centers with an annual volume of at 1698 least 10 open aortic operations of any type and a documented perioperative mortality of 5% or 1699 less. 1700 1701 Level of recommendation Weak 1702 Quality of evidence Low 1703 1704

1705 The patient with a ruptured aneurysm

1706 Preoperative management and considerations for patient transfer. A ruptured

1707 abdominal aortic aneurysm represents a true surgical emergency. Documented rupture,

1708 particularly with associated hypotension, demands immediate transfer to an adequately

1709 equipped operating room for definitive repair without delay. Should aneurysm rupture occur,

1710 more than half of patients die prior to hospitalization or without treatment.

1711 Establishing a protocol or algorithm for urgent or emergent management of a patient with

1712 a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is essential for optimizing outcomes.419 In the presence of

1713 a protocol, 30-day mortality was 18%, whereas in the absence of a protocol, 30-day mortality

1714 was 32%.420-422 Based on review of the literature, including existing guidelines endorsed in the

1715 United Kingdom423 and by the Western Vascular Society, an algorithm for the initial evaluation,

1716 diagnosis, immediate management, and triage of patients with a suspected ruptured abdominal

1717 aortic aneurysm is presented (Figure 5). An expedited evaluation consisting of the airway,

1718 breathing, and circulation (ABC) protocol, general assessment, and vital sign check should be

1719 initially performed by the emergency physician of any patient suspected of having a ruptured

1720 abdominal aortic aneurysm. Diagnosis in the emergency department is usually ascertained

1721 based on history and physical examination. Radiologic confirmation, either via bedside

1722 ultrasound imaging or a contrast-enhanced CT scan, can be obtained when an alternative

1723 diagnosis is more likely on clinical grounds. Optimization of the patients’ clinical condition in the

1724 pre-operative setting, while waiting for urgent transport to an operating room, may improve

75

1725 outcomes. Intravenous access should be established with two large bore peripheral

1726 intravenous lines, as central or arterial access is not immediately necessary. Permissive

1727 hypotension, or “hypotensive hemostasis,” which refers to restricting aggressive fluid

1728 resuscitation as long as the patient remains conscious and has a systolic blood pressure

1729 between 70 to 90 mm Hg, should be implemented to limit excessive hemorrhage.424-426

1730 Laboratory or imaging studies should only be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of ruptured

1731 abdominal aortic aneurysm. Other actions that may help improve outcomes are the immediate

1732 availability of blood and blood products, warming, and the avoidance of elective intubation.427

1733 With the increasing utilization of endovascular methods to treat patients presenting with

1734 a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, vital resources, including advanced imaging, trained

1735 staff, and robust endovascular inventory must be available. In cases where transfer is not

1736 necessary, the vascular team should be notified as soon as a ruptured abdominal aortic

1737 aneurysm is suspected. It may be prudent, however, to transfer a patient to a higher level

1738 facility when such resources are unavailable.428, 429 Patients with good functional status and

1739 without severe co-morbidity should be transferred without delay. Further, patients previously

1740 declined elective surgery should be considered for transfer and treatment. Some patients

1741 experiencing a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm may not be medically fit to undergo open

1742 repair, while at the same time are not anatomically suitable for endovascular repair. The urge to

1743 offer endovascular repair to patients anatomically unsuitable for such repair should be strongly

1744 resisted.430 Pre-operative predictors of death after open repair include age > 76 years, serum

1745 creatinine of > 2.0 g/dL, pH < 7.2, and blood pressure < 70 mmHg at any time. While these risk

1746 factors require more robust validation, when all four are present, open repair is uniformly fatal.431

1747 As such, goals of care, medical comorbidities, and hemodynamics should be discussed with the

1748 receiving vascular surgeon if transfer is necessary. Ongoing cardiac arrest represents a

1749 contraindication for transfer given the unlikely survival of these patients.

76

1750 Direct physician-to-physician phone handoff is necessary for all patients being

1751 transferred. It is imperative that relevant imaging is transmitted, preferably using an electronic

1752 method.432 Little data exist to guide best management during this critical transfer time period.

1753 Patients should receive intravenous nitroglycerin, esmolol, sodium nitroprusside, and pain

1754 medication, as needed, to avoid hypertension and minimize the risk of uncontained rupture.

1755 Permissive hypotension is appropriate with limited resuscitation and should be maintained

1756 during transfer. Blood products are preferred to treat hypotension, but transfer should not be

1757 delayed if blood products are not readily available.433

1758 Systems of care and time goals for intervention. Timeliness of intervention for the

1759 patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm impacts outcomes.434-436 A goal of door-to-

1760 intervention time of less than 90 minutes is recommended with time zero defined as the time of

1761 first medical contact and intervention defined as initial arterial access and placement of an aortic

1762 occlusion balloon (Figure 5). Given limited studies benchmarking time to intervention for a

1763 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm434, 436, this goal has been proposed based on those

1764 established by the 2004 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Foundation/American Heart

1765 Association guidelines for the management of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction

1766 (STEMI).437 For the patient necessitating transfer to a regional center, the adoption of a 30-30-

1767 30-minute framework is recommended as a benchmark. The initial period denotes the time

1768 from first medical contact with a patient suspected of having a ruptured aortic aneurysm,

1769 including immediate management, to the point when a decision is made to transfer the patient to

1770 a regional center if so required or the initiation of emergent in-house vascular surgery

1771 evaluation. The second period represents the time required for rapid transfer to a regional

1772 center, if needed, and includes, physician-physician phone handoff, transfer of images, if

1773 available, and in-transit care. The final period includes the time from evaluation by the in-house

1774 or receiving vascular surgery team to arterial access and placement of an aortic occlusion

1775 balloon. Checklists, such as those highlighting the essential tasks needed in order to facilitate

77

1776 transfer, as well as those that assist in coordinating care teams at the treating facility can be

1777 used to help meet these goals (Figures 6, 7). More importantly, and similar to STEMI

1778 management,438, 439 the establishment of systems of care will be necessary. With an organized

1779 regional transfer system, operative repair can be performed in over 95% of patients with a

1780 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, with 67% survival.434 This requires effective coordination

1781 between established sending and receiving facilities with standardized communication, a

1782 reliable transport provider, patient management guidelines during transfer, and a streamlined

1783 process for operative repair. This goal should be considered the longest times acceptable for

1784 effective management of a patient with a ruptured aortic aneurysm and systems that are able to

1785 achieve even more rapid times should be encouraged.

1786 It should be noted that the benchmark of < 90 minute door-to-balloon time for the

1787 management of the patient with a STEMI was initially extremely challenging to meet.437 In 2004,

1788 the National Cardiovascular Data Registry reported that for patients requiring interhospital

1789 transfer, only 8.6% had total door-to-balloon times of less than 90 minutes with a median time of

1790 152 minutes.440 Nonetheless, the establishment of an ambitious time goal promoted the

1791 development of STEMI Systems of Care to decrease time to intervention and improve overall

1792 patient survival.441 The challenge faced by rural centers was recognized when the 2004

1793 AHA/ACC guidelines were issued. However, with rapid triage, transfer, and STEMI treatment

1794 programs, median total door-to-balloon times have been driven down for rural hospitals from a

1795 median of 189 minutes to 88 minutes.442

1796 1797 1798 We suggest a door-to-intervention time of < 90 minutes, based on a 30-30-30 minute 1799 framework, for the management of the patient with a ruptured aneurysm. 1800 1801 Level of recommendation Weak 1802 Quality of evidence Ungraded 1803 1804 1805 1806

78

1807 An established protocol for the management of ruptured AAA is essential for optimal outcomes. 1808 1809 Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement 1810 Quality of evidence Ungraded 1811 1812 1813 We recommend implementing hypotensive hemostasis with restriction of fluid resuscitation in 1814 the conscious patient. 1815 1816 Level of recommendation Strong 1817 Quality of evidence Moderate 1818 1819 1820 We suggest that patients with ruptured AAA who require transfer for repair, be referred to a 1821 facility with an established rupture protocol and suitable endovascular resources. 1822 1823 Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement 1824 Quality of evidence Ungraded 1825 1826 1827 1828 Initial operative management. Regardless of the nature of repair, proximal control of

1829 the aorta is a crucial aspect of the initial part of the procedure. Indications for an aortic occlusion

1830 balloon include circulatory collapse, hemodynamic instability, or anatomic limitations that

1831 prevent expeditious repair.427, 443 A femoral artery approach with use of a long sheath is

1832 preferred over a brachial approach. The sheath may be advanced into the supraceliac aorta to

1833 support the balloon and permit its removal after endograft placement.443

1834 In the hemodynamically unstable patient without preoperative CT imaging, evaluation of

1835 the proximal and distal sealing zones and device selection can be based on intraoperative

1836 angiography recognizing the inability to assess the extent of mural thrombus, or ideally, by

1837 . Both bifurcated and aortouniliac endografts have been used for

1838 emergent EVAR.427, 444-446 While used less commonly, an aortouniliac device may be helpful in

1839 the treatment of an anatomically challenging AAA. The Nellix® Endovascular Aneurysm

1840 Sealing System (EVAS, Endologix, Inc.) has also been proposed for treatment of ruptured

1841 AAA.447, 448

79

1842 Role of EVAR. In an effort to improve outcomes for patients presenting with

1843 symptomatic or ruptured AAAs, the impact of urgent or emergent EVAR has been recently

1844 evaluated. An early randomized trial comparing EVAR and OSR for ruptured AAAs revealed

1845 that the suitability for endovascular repair was only 46%, but the rate of EVAR was lower

1846 (30%).449 Observational studies have revealed improved outcomes after emergent EVAR for

1847 ruptured AAAs, but significant selection bias and lack of uniform inclusion criteria and reporting

1848 standards confound these analyses.446The IMPROVE Trial was a multicenter randomized trial of

1849 EVAR and open repair for patients presenting with a ruptured AAA.450 Patients were

1850 randomized prior to obtaining CT imaging with 316 patients randomized to EVAR and 297

1851 patients to open repair. Thirty-day mortality was similar among patients treated with EVAR

1852 (35.4%) or open repair (37.4%). Secondary analyses demonstrated shorter length of stay and a

1853 higher proportion of patients discharged to home for those treated by EVAR. A potential

1854 limitation of this study was the application of an intent-to-treat analysis, which incorporated

1855 outcomes for those participants initially randomized to EVAR but whose anatomy required open

1856 repair to the EVAR group. Recently reported one-year outcomes demonstrated that EVAR was

1857 most cost effective when compared to open repair, but no survival benefit was observed.

1858 An analysis of national trends in the United States confirm that EVAR is being used with

1859 increasing frequency for the treatment ruptured AAA, with a decrease in associated mortality.451,

1860 452 Outcomes are superior when EVAR for a ruptured aneurysm is performed in teaching

1861 hospitals and high volume centers.451

1862 1863 1864 1865 If anatomically feasible, we recommend EVAR over open repair for treatment of a ruptured AAA. 1866 1867 Level of recommendation Strong 1868 Quality of evidence Moderate 1869 1870

1871

80

1872 Management of postoperative complications

1873 Abdominal compartment syndrome. Abdominal compartment syndrome is a well-

1874 recognized complication after both open surgical repair and EVAR for ruptured aneurysm and

1875 may occur in approximately 7% of patients.453 Use of an aortic occlusion balloon, coagulopathy,

1876 massive transfusion, and conversion to an aortouniliac device, are all predictors of abdominal

1877 compartment syndrome.454 Abdominal compartment syndrome typically occurs in the

1878 hemodynamically unstable patient with a large retroperitoneal hematoma. Diffuse visceral

1879 edema results in intra-abdominal hypertension and multiple system organ dysfunction, including

1880 oliguria, increased peak airway pressures, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, hypotension and decreased

1881 cardiac output. Early recognition and surgical decompression are necessary to improve

1882 survival455.

1883 Ischemic colitis. The incidence of colonic ischemia following repair of a ruptured AAA

1884 may occur in as many as one-in-five to one-in-three patients.456 Ischemic colitis following

1885 vascular surgery has been associated with mortality rates of 45-67% with recent reports

1886 demonstrating only modest improvement in outcomes.457 Delayed diagnosis with advanced

1887 ischemic colitis leading to perforation is associated with a mortality rate in excess of 90%458 and

1888 a retrospective review of 222 patients revealed that ischemic colitis was the most common

1889 cause of death after open repair of a ruptured aneurysm.459 Colonic ischemia is much less

1890 frequent after EVAR than OSR for ruptured aneurysm (23% vs. 42%), but the risk remains.379,

1891 457, 460 Prompt endoscopy is recommended when there is a suspicion for ischemic colitis to

1892 confirm the diagnosis and help guide management.

1893 Multi-system organ failure. Given the associated hemodynamic instability and

1894 ischemia-reperfusion injury among patients presenting with a ruptured aneurysm, multisystem

1895 organ failure (MSOF) may occur in 1% to 3% of patients after EVAR or open repair.461 462

1896 Once MSOF develops, organ dysfunction leads to a prolonged ICU stay, high resource

81

1897 consumption, and a 50-70% mortality rate.463 Dedicated ICU teams and regionalized care at

1898 high-volume centers have led to reduced mortality and decreased length of stay.464, 465

1899

1900 Special considerations

1901 Inflammatory aneurysm. An inflammatory aortic aneurysm occurs in between 5 to

1902 10% of patients.466 An inflammatory aortic aneurysm may not be readily apparent on CT

1903 imaging, but may be associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis467, 468 and displays a similar natural

1904 history to the more common degenerative aortic aneurysm.469, 470 An inflammatory aortic

1905 aneurysm is typically adherent to the duodenum, and less commonly, the ureters, renal vein and

1906 inferior vena cava.471 Should open repair be required, a retroperitoneal approach is

1907 recommended to avoid dissection of the duodenum. A systematic review of 999 patients with

1908 inflammatory aortic aneurysm confirmed that EVAR was associated with decreased mortality as

1909 compared to open repair.472-476 477

1910 Horseshoe kidney. A horseshoe kidney occurs in 0.25% of the general population and

1911 in 0.12% of patients presenting with an aortic aneurysm.478 Preoperative evaluation requires

1912 careful determination of the renal arterial anatomy, which can be highly variable with accessory

1913 renal arteries originating from the aorta, aneurysm sac and iliac arteries.479-481 If the main renal

1914 arteries are located proximal to the aneurysm, EVAR can be safely performed.482, 483 Small

1915 accessory renal arteries may be covered by EVAR.484, 485 In cases with anomalous blood

1916 supply, open surgical repair, preferably through a retroperitoneal approach, hybrid repair, or a

1917 fenestrated-branched EVAR may be considered.486, 487 488 Multiple renal arteries can be

1918 surgically re-implanted using a Carrel patch or through an inclusion technique.489 Should open

1919 repair be required and CT imaging reveal that the horseshoe kidney is associated with a very

1920 thin fibrous isthmus, a trans-peritoneal approach may be considered with division of the

1921 “isthmus”.490-492 A hybrid approach has been described using a bifurcated Dacron graft based

82

1922 off the external iliac artery to revascularize the horseshoe kidney, followed by EVAR.493, 494

1923 Likewise, repair has also been described using a fenestrated endograft and snorkel grafts.495, 496

1924 Aortocaval fistula. A ruptured aneurysm associated with an aortocaval fistula has been

1925 reported in 0.22% to 6% of patients.497 The triad of abdominal pain, a pulsatile mass, and an

1926 abdominal ‘machinery’ bruit is present in up to 80% of cases.498-501 Patients presenting with an

1927 abdominal aneurysm and high-output heart failure or a paradoxical pulmonary embolism should

1928 also be suspected of having an aortocaval fistula.502-506 Duplex imaging will reveal an arterial

1929 flow pattern in the inferior vena cava and CT imaging will demonstrate contrast in the inferior

1930 vena cava during the arterial phase.507-510 EVAR is preferred511-517 with expected resolution of

1931 preoperative heart failure and other physiologic disturbances.518-521 If open repair is required,

1932 venous bleeding should be anticipated and care taken to minimize the risk of pulmonary air

1933 embolism or embolism of thrombotic debris by placement of sponge sticks proximal and distal to

1934 the aortocaval fistula for control followed by direct suture repair of the defect.522, 523

1935 Since 2013, an additional 53 patients presenting with an aortocaval fistula have been

1936 added to the previously reported 250 cases.524 The majority have been successfully treated

1937 with EVAR alone, with occasional use of an Amplatzer® plug525 or additional placement of a

1938 covered stent in the inferior vena cava.526-529

1939

1940 ANESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS AND PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

1941 Choice of anesthetic technique and agent. Open aneurysm repair requires general

1942 anesthesia, except in unusual circumstances, because of the required relaxation of the

1943 abdominal wall musculature and need for wide exposure of the aorta and its branches.530

1944 Insertion of monitoring lines prior to induction of anesthesia is appropriate if such monitoring

1945 devices improve the safety of induction. Infusion of an analgesic through an epidural catheter,

1946 by controlling pain fiber input, appears to lower the required dose of general anesthetic agents

1947 and may be associated with a shorter time to extubation.531 In addition, it has been postulated,

83

1948 but not proven that there is decreased hemodynamic lability and cardiac ischemia.532, 533

1949 Nonetheless, it has been difficult to demonstrate significant benefit to either intraoperative or

1950 postoperative epidural anesthesia and traumatic preoperative insertion of an epidural catheter

1951 with blood tinged cerebrospinal fluid may preclude subsequent heparin administration and

1952 require cancellation of the operative procedure. Use of epidural anesthesia with low dose

1953 inhalation anesthesia or in the awake patient has been advocated for patients with severe

1954 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.534-536

1955 EVAR can be safely performed under general, epidural, or local anesthesia. While a

1956 number of retrospective studies suggest that the type of anesthetic influences operative time,

1957 length of hospital stay, and risk of morbidity, a mortality benefit has yet to be identified. In a

1958 retrospective analysis of nearly 4,000 patients in the EUROSTAR registry, local anesthesia was

1959 associated with shorter operative times, reduced ICU admission, shorter hospital stay, and

1960 fewer systemic complications.537 There was a modest advantage of epidural anesthesia as

1961 compared to general anesthesia. A recent review of the ACS NSQIP database demonstrated

1962 that general anesthesia was associated with longer hospital stay and increased pulmonary

1963 morbidity as compared to local or regional anesthesia.538 A meta-analysis of 13,459 patients

1964 undergoing EVAR, revealed that patients undergoing local anesthesia were older and had more

1965 severe cardiac and pulmonary disease, but experienced shorter operative times and hospital

1966 stays and suffered fewer complications.539 A limitation of this review was the inability to account

1967 for aneurysm anatomy and morphologic complexity, which may have influenced the selection of

1968 general anesthesia for repair.

1969 1970 1971 We recommend general endotracheal anesthesia for patients undergoing open aneurysm 1972 repair. 1973 1974 Level of recommendation Strong 1975 Quality of evidence High 1976 1977

84

1978 Anesthetic considerations in the patient with a ruptured aneurysm. Regardless of

1979 the choice of endovascular or open surgical repair, there is evidence to support the

1980 implementation of a standardized protocol for the efficient evaluation and treatment of ruptured

1981 aneurysm, including anesthetic management.427, 446 Notably, the surgical field should be initially

1982 draped and a transfemoral aortic balloon placed, especially if general anesthesia is required due

1983 to the likelihood of vasodilatation, hypotension and cardiovascular collapse. Permissive

1984 hypotension to maintain a systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg limits volume overload and

1985 appears sufficient to maintain critical end organ perfusion.540 The use of local anesthesia for

1986 EVAR, most often, does not provide sufficient pain control for the patient experiencing

1987 significant abdominal or back pain.

1988 1989 Antibiotic prophylaxis. A Cochrane review confirms that prophylactic antibiotics,

1990 administered prior to incision, reduces the risk of wound infection and early graft infection in

1991 arterial reconstructive surgery.541 However, continuing antibiotics for more than 24 hours

1992 postoperatively was without added benefit. There was no advantage among first- or second-

1993 generation cephalosporins, penicillins with lactamase inhibitors, aminoglycosides, or

1994 vancomycin. We also recommend that any potential sources of dental sepsis be eliminated at

1995 least 2 weeks before implantation an aortic prosthesis.

1996 1997 1998 We recommend intravenous administration of a first generation cephalosporin or, in the event of 1999 penicillin allergy, vancomycin, within 30 minutes prior to open surgical repair or EVAR. 2000 Prophylactic antibiotics should be continued for no more than 24 hours. 2001 2002 Level of recommendation Strong 2003 Quality of evidence High 2004 2005 We recommend that any potential sources of dental sepsis be eliminated at least 2 weeks 2006 before implantation an aortic prosthesis. 2007 2008 Level of recommendation Good Practice Statement 2009 Quality of evidence Ungraded 2010 2011

85

2012 Intraoperative fluid resuscitation and blood conservation. Allogeneic blood

2013 transfusion remains associated with immunological and infectious risks. Although preoperative

2014 autologous blood donation avoids disease transmission and transfusion reaction, as well as

2015 stimulates erythropoiesis, limitations include limited availability of blood donation, increased

2016 expense, and potential waste of non-utilized blood.542 Intraoperative cell salvage assists in

2017 blood conservation, has been recommended if large blood loss is anticipated, and may be

2018 helpful where concerns of the safety of banked blood exist. 543-545 A prospective randomized trial

2019 of cell salvage in elective cardiac surgery did not lead to a reduction in exposure to allogeneic

2020 blood, but did reduce the number of transfused units.546 Various methods of cell salvage,

2021 including use of a cell saver or , have not been associated with meaningful

2022 differences in clinical outcomes.547 A Cochrane review of cell salvage used in a variety of

2023 surgeries demonstrated an overall reduction of less than 1 unit per patient with decreased

2024 likelihood of requiring an allogeneic blood transfusion, but no alteration in clinical outcome.548 A

2025 meta-analysis of cell salvage in open aneurysm repair, confirmed a reduced requirement for

2026 blood transfusion.549 In addition, one retrospective study has demonstrated that cell salvage

2027 was associated with improved survival among patients undergoing open repair of a ruptured

2028 aneurysm.550 Cell salvage is contraindicated in the presence of infection or malignancy.

2029 The benefit of maintaining a predefined hematocrit level during open surgical repair of

2030 aortic aneurysm is unknown, but preemptive transfusion in the setting of rapid ongoing blood

2031 loss is well-supported.551 In the trauma literature, plasma, platelets, and packed red blood cells

2032 in a 1:1:1 ratio and warm fresh whole blood instead of component therapy have each been

2033 advocated.433, 552, 553 However, retrospective studies have not consistently demonstrated a

2034 survival benefit to a lower ratio of red cell transfusion to plasma transfusion for patients

2035 undergoing open repair of a rupture aneurysm.550, 554 Further, withholding plasma and platelet

2036 transfusion until surgical repair is complete, is not supported by clinical evidence. Optimal blood

2037 replacement therapy during open repair has not been well defined nor indications established

86

2038 for administration of cryoprecipitate, plasma, and platelets.555 A retrospective study has

2039 suggested that administration of recombinant factor VIIa in the setting of intractable

2040 intraoperative and postoperative bleeding during vascular surgery has a survival benefit.556

2041 A Cochrane review of perioperative administration of crystalloid and colloid fluids for

2042 open abdominal aortic surgery did not identify a superior regimen.557 However, a recent

2043 prospective randomized study of elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm concluded

2044 that a more restrictive perioperative fluid regimen reduces complications and length of hospital

2045 stay.558

2046 2047 2048 We recommend using cell salvage or an ultrafiltration device if large blood loss is anticipated. 2049 2050 Level of recommendation Strong 2051 Quality of evidence Moderate 2052 2053 2054 If the intraoperative hemoglobin is less than 10 gm/dL and blood loss is ongoing, we 2055 recommend transfusion of packed blood cells along with fresh frozen plasma and platelets in a 2056 ratio of 1:1:1. 2057 2058 Level of recommendation Strong 2059 Quality of evidence Moderate 2060 2061 2062 Cardiovascular monitoring. Central venous pressure and arterial line monitoring are

2063 suggested for all patients undergoing open surgical repair of an aortic aneurysm.559 However,

2064 multiple randomized trials have shown no measureable benefit to the routine use of pulmonary

2065 artery catheters in non-selected patients.560-563 While trans-esophageal echocardiography

2066 (TEE) is useful for those patients ‘at risk’ of major hemodynamic instability or in the unstable

2067 patient to assess volume status and cardiac function, routine use does not influence clinical

2068 outcomes.564, 565

2069 Perioperative myocardial infarction is associated with adverse short- and long-term

2070 outcomes and can be prevented by early recognition of myocardial ischemia.566-569 ECG

2071 monitoring, utilizing five leads, is recommended for both OSR and EVAR. Continuous 12-lead

87

2072 ECG or the monitoring of two leads instead of a single precordial lead has been shown to be a

2073 more sensitive indicator of myocardial ischemia.570 However, myocardial ischemia detection by

2074 TEE in the form of wall motion abnormalities precedes ST segment changes and is a more

2075 sensitive monitor for ischemia. While troponin measurement after vascular surgery has been

2076 advocated,571 routine measurement has not been associated with improved clinical outcomes.563

2077

2078 2079 2080 We suggest using pulmonary artery catheters only if the likelihood for a major hemodynamic 2081 disturbance was high. 2082 2083 Level of recommendation Strong 2084 Quality of evidence Moderate 2085 2086 2087 We recommend central venous access and arterial line monitoring in all patients undergoing 2088 open aneurysm repair. 2089 2090 Level of recommendation Strong 2091 Quality of evidence Moderate 2092 2093 2094 We recommend postoperative ST-segment monitoring for all patients undergoing open 2095 aneurysm repair and for those patients undergoing EVAR who are at high cardiac risk.. 2096 2097 Level of recommendation Strong 2098 Quality of evidence Moderate 2099 2100 2101 We recommend postoperative troponin measurement for all patients with ECG changes or chest 2102 pain after aneurysm repair. 2103 2104 Levels of recommendation Strong 2105 Quality of evidence High 2106 2107 2108 2109 Maintenance of body temperature. Maintenance of body temperature above 36°C

2110 during aneurysm repair appears to be beneficial with respect to hemodynamics, laboratory

2111 measures of clotting function, and metabolic acidosis.563, 572 Prospective randomized data

2112 supports the use of forced air warming blankets rather than circulating water mattresses.572 In

88

2113 addition, prospective studies support the use of low fresh flow rate anesthetic gases573 and the

2114 use of intravenous fluid and blood warmers to maintain normothermia.574

2115 2116 2117 We recommend maintaining core body temperature at or above 36°C during aneurysm repair. 2118 2119 Levels of recommendation Strong 2120 Quality of evidence High 2121 2122

2123 Role of the intensive care unit. Increasingly, the care of the postoperative patient is

2124 occurring in a step down unit or other monitored settings to best focus use of the intensive care

2125 unit on those patients in greatest need.575 Selective use of the intensive care unit after

2126 aneurysm surgery is most effective if preoperative criteria, such as preexisting significant

2127 coronary artery, pulmonary or renal disease, or intraoperative criteria, such as a significant

2128 arrhythmia, hemodynamic instability or requirement for postoperative mechanical ventilation are

2129 established.576 In a study of 230 patients undergoing aneurysm repair, 89% avoided admission

2130 to ICU by use of systematic preoperative evaluation to identify predictors of poor outcome.577

2131 Goal-directed therapy using non-invasive monitoring of cardiac output by esophageal

2132 Doppler or lithium indicator dilution and pulse power analysis (LiDCO) has been shown to

2133 improve short term outcomes.578, 579 Monitoring cardiac output with a defined treatment protocol

2134 has also been shown to be cost effective in the setting of major abdominal surgery.580 While

2135 studies focused on the care of patients with an aortic aneurysm have not been conducted,

2136 randomized trials have included patients with vascular disease.581.

2137 Fast track surgical pathways or ‘enhanced recovery’ pathways are being used

2138 increasingly to decrease length of stay and expedite discharge after abdominal surgery.

2139 Evaluation of a fast track surgery pathway in a 30 patient cohort undergoing open aneurysm

2140 repair was associated with an average length of stay of 3.6 days without readmission.582 The

2141 pathway included a limited retroperitoneal incision and specialized intraoperative retractors.582

89

2142 A recent trial confirmed benefit in 101 patients randomized to a fast track surgery care pathway,

2143 which included no bowel prep, reduced fasting, patient controlled anesthesia, as well as early

2144 mobilization and feeding. There was no difference in ICU length of stay, but time to full feeding

2145 (5 vs. 7 days, p < 0.001) was reduced along with the incidence of postoperative complication

2146 (16% vs. 36%, p = 0.039).

2147 2148 2149 We recommend postoperative management in an intensive care unit for the patient with 2150 significant cardiac, pulmonary or renal disease, as well as for those requiring postoperative 2151 mechanical ventilation or who developed a significant arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability 2152 during operative treatment. 2153 2154 Level of recommendation Strong 2155 Quality of evidence High 2156 2157 2158 Nasogastric decompression and perioperative nutrition. Routine nasogastric

2159 decompression is not recommended after aortic surgery. A Cochrane review examined 37

2160 studies involving 5,711 patients randomized to routine or selective nasogastric decompression

2161 after emergency or elective abdominal surgery.583 Selective decompression was associated

2162 with a decreased risk of pulmonary complications without untoward adverse effects.583

2163 Although postoperative malnutrition is uncommon after EVAR, given the anticipated short length

2164 of hospital stay,584 a risk for malnutrition exists for patients who undergo open aneurysm repair,

2165 particularly those with preexisting renal insufficiency.585 Early feeding reduces the likelihood of

2166 malnutrition, as demonstrated in a randomized trial of 128 patients undergoing colorectal and

2167 abdominal vascular surgery.586

2168 2169 2170 We recommend optimization of preoperative nutritional status prior to elective open aneurysm 2171 repair, if repair will not be unduly delayed. 2172 2173 Level of recommendation Strong 2174 Quality of evidence High 2175 2176

90

2177 We recommend using nasogastric decompression intraoperatively for all patients undergoing 2178 open aneurysm repair, but postoperatively, only for those patients with nausea and abdominal 2179 distention. 2180 2181 Level of recommendation Strong 2182 Quality of evidence High 2183 2184 2185 We recommend parenteral nutrition if a patient is unable to tolerate enteral support seven days 2186 after aneurysm repair. 2187 2188 Level of recommendation Strong 2189 Quality of evidence High 2190 2191

2192 Prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis. Early mobilization and shorter length of stay

2193 has reduced the incidence of venous thromboembolism after aortic surgery relative to earlier

2194 eras of open aortic repair. Two studies using the NSQIP database determined that the 30-day

2195 incidence of venous thromboembolism after open aneurysm repair and EVAR were less than

2196 2% and 1%, respectively.587, 588 The risk of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT)

2197 prophylaxis after open aneurysm repair was first highlighted by Olin et al. who performed

2198 postoperative in 50 consecutive patients.589 While most patients were

2199 asymptomatic, 21% had evidence of an acute DVT, predominantly within the calf veins.

2200 While venous thromboembolism risk stratification can be performed using the Caprini or

2201 similar scoring scheme, most patients undergoing aneurysm repair will be classified as

2202 moderate (Caprini Risk Score: 3-4) or high (Caprini Risk Score: >5) risk.590 For example, the

2203 majority of patients undergoing aneurysm repair will be 61 years of age or older (Caprini score

2204 of 2 points) with planned surgery of greater than 45 minutes (Caprini score of 2 points), These

2205 two factors alone yield a Caprini Risk Score of 4. Nonetheless, recommendations for

2206 thromboprophylaxis after aneurysm surgery are not well defined, given the lack of evidence for

2207 safety, particularly among patients undergoing open surgical repair, or effectiveness.591-598

2208

91

2209 2210 2211 We recommend thromboprophylaxis that includes intermittent pneumatic compression and early 2212 ambulation for all patients undergoing OSR or EVAR. 2213 2214 Level of recommendation Strong 2215 Quality of Evidence High 2216 2217 2218 We suggest thromboprophylaxis with unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin for patients 2219 undergoing aneurysm repair at moderate to high risk for venous thromboembolism and low risk 2220 for bleeding. 2221 2222 Level of recommendation Weak 2223 Quality of evidence Low 2224 2225 2226 Postoperative blood transfusion. A threshold for blood transfusion after OSR or

2227 EVAR has not been established. A number of studies suggest that anemia or a low hemoglobin

2228 level is associated with increased mortality after open AAA repair.82, 124 In a review of a

2229 statewide database, transfusion after major vascular procedures occurred in 25% of patients at

2230 a median hemoglobin level of 7.7 g/dL. Perioperative transfusion was independently associated

2231 with death, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia.599 A hemoglobin concentration of less than 7

2232 g/dL has been recommended as a transfusion threshold for a number of high risk conditions in

2233 both critical and ambulatory care.600 Given the prevalence of coronary artery disease among

2234 patients undergoing vascular surgery, blood transfusion for a hemoglobin concentration of less

2235 than 10 g/dL has been a common practice. However, a meta-analysis comparing transfusion

2236 thresholds of 7 to 8 g/dL and 9 to 10 g/dL did not discern a difference in outcome for patients

2237 undergoing either cardiac or vascular surgery.601 In this regard, motivated by a desire to reduce

2238 the established risks of blood transfusion, decrease blood utilization, and lower costs, a recent

2239 Cochrane analysis supports more restrictive guidelines for all patients, including those with

2240 cardiovascular disease.602 Therefore, on the basis of currently available evidence, in the

2241 absence of ongoing blood loss, transfusion during or after OSR or EVAR is recommended only

2242 if the hemoglobin concentration is at or below 7 g/dL.

92

2243 2244 2245 In the absence of ongoing blood loss, we suggest a threshold for blood transfusion during or 2246 after aneurysm repair at a hemoglobin concentration of 7 gm/dL or below. 2247 2248 Level of recommendation Weak 2249 Quality of evidence Low 2250

2251 Perioperative pain management. Central regional opioids, systemic opioid patient-

2252 controlled analgesia and peripheral regional techniques are recommended for pain

2253 management, including multimodal techniques such as central regional blockage with local

2254 anesthetics.603 The geriatric population warrants special consideration and incorporation of

2255 acetaminophen is recommended in the postoperative pain plan.603

2256 A Cochrane analysis reviewed 1,498 patients enrolled in 15 trials who were treated with

2257 either epidural or systemic opioid analgesia, most often after open aortic surgery.604 The method

2258 of pain control had no impact on 30 day mortality, but initial pain scores, the duration of

2259 ventilation, postoperative respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, ICU length of stay, and

2260 the incidence of MI were all reduced among patients treated with epidural analgesia.604, 605

2261 Epidural anesthesia may also be beneficial for patients with COPD.606 Complications after the

2262 placement of an epidural catheter are uncommon, but include epidural abscess and

2263 hematoma.607

2264 There is limited evidence that a pre-incisional transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block

2265 decreases the use of pain medication after major abdominal surgery.608, 609 A Cochrane review

2266 of 8 studies with 358 participants found TAP reduced opioid consumption in a subset of studies

2267 and had no impact on nausea, vomiting or sedation scores.610

2268 2269 2270 We recommend multimodality treatment, including epidural analgesia, for postoperative pain 2271 control after open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. 2272 2273 Level of recommendation Strong 2274 Quality of evidence High 2275

93

2276 2277 POSTOPERATIVE AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT

2278 Late outcomes

2279 Endoleak. Endoleak is defined as persistent blood flow in the aneurysm sac after

2280 EVAR. Endoleaks at the time of repair may be present in up to 25%.611-613 Although an

2281 endoleak may often resolve without intervention, some require immediate or delayed

2282 treatment to prevent aneurysm rupture. Additionally, some endoleaks develop months or

2283 years after EVAR. Thus, lifelong surveillance after EVAR is required. An endoleak may be

2284 identified by CT imaging or duplex ultrasound.614, 615 There are four main types of endoleak.347,

2285 616 Management depends on endoleak type and the associated risk of sac rupture.

2286 Type I endoleak. A type I endoleak occurs when there is an incomplete seal at the

2287 proximal aortic attachment site (type IA) or at the distal iliac attachment site (IB). A type IA

2288 endoleak most often occurs in the presence of a short or severely angulated neck, a reverse

2289 tapered neck, or when the attachment site contains considerable thrombus or calcification. A

2290 type I endoleak is associated with elevated sac pressure and an ongoing risk of rupture.617-619

2291 While a small endoleak may seal and can be observed, it is preferable that when

2292 identified at the time of repair, every attempt should be made to treat a type I endoleak before

2293 the conclusion of the procedure. Balloon molding of the proximal seal zone, placement of a

2294 proximal cuff, and endostaples have all been used with varying degrees of success.620

2295 Endostaples may reduce the risk of endograft migration and a type IA endoleak, but long-term

2296 data are limited.620, 621

2297 Other options for type IA endoleak treatment include embolization with coils or glue,622, 623

2298 proximal extension with a chimney approach,352 or conversion to a fenestrated endograft.351 A

2299 type IB endoleak is treated with distal extension of the iliac limb, if repeat angioplasty fails to

2300 eliminate the endoleak. It may be necessary to extend the endograft to the external iliac artery

94

2301 with coil occlusion of hypogastric artery. Conversion to open repair should be considered in the

2302 presence of a persistent type IA endoleak.624

2303 Type II endoleak. Persistent filling of the aneurysm sac from patent lumbar arteries or

2304 the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) constitutes a type II endoleak.611-613 Type II endoleaks are

2305 the most common endoleak, present at the time of repair in up to one-fourth of patients. When

2306 identified at the time of the procedure, treatment is not indicated, as at least 50% will

2307 spontaneously resolve.617, 622, 623, 625 The incidence of type II endoleak at 6 months is 10% to

2308 15%.626-628 Factors that increase the risk of a persistent type II endoleak include a patent

2309 inferior mesenteric artery, number and diameter of patent lumbar arteries, especially L3 and L4

2310 lumbar arteries, and ongoing anticoagulation.629-632

2311 The fate of persistent type II endoleaks is variable. Aneurysm sac size may decrease in

2312 up to 25%,626, 633 remain stable in 50%-70%,634 or increase in up to 25% of patients. The

2313 delayed onset of a type II endoleak may also be noted 6 months or later after EVAR. A delayed

2314 type II endoleak may be associated with aneurysm sac expansion;635 however, expansion in sac

2315 diameter greater than 10 mm is uncommon.636

2316 Treatment of a type II endoleak includes embolization of the inferior mesenteric or lumbar

2317 arteries with coils or glue,623 direct trans-lumbar injection of the aneurysm sac,616 transcaval

2318 embolization,637, 638 or laparoscopic ligation of the inferior mesenteric and lumbar arteries,639 all

2319 with variable success rates. Up to 60% of treated aneurysms continue to expand requiring

2320 multiple procedures and in some cases explant with conversion to open repair.640, 641 Stent graft

2321 preservation with oversewing of the inferior mesenteric and lumbar arteries from within the sac

2322 has been reported.642-644 Type II endoleak remains a challenge to treat effectively.645

2323 Rupture from a type II endoleak is rare and more often related to an unrecognized type I

2324 endoleak. The decision to treat is based on the size and expansion (> 5 mm) of the aneurysm,

2325 type and size of patent inflow and outflow vessels, and the presence of symptoms.646, 647

2326 Selective intervention appears both safe and cost-effective.636, 648

95

2327 Type III endoleak. A type III endoleak occurs when there is incomplete seal between

2328 components or component separation and less frequently due to fabric erosion. The aneurysm

2329 sac becomes re-pressurized with an increased risk of rupture. All type III endoleaks should be

2330 treated. When the endoleak is present at the contralateral gate or between an iliac limb and an

2331 iliac extension, treatment entails bridging the gap with an appropriately sized limb.617, 618

2332 Type IV endoleak. A type IV endoleak is due to fabric porosity, which may be present

2333 at the time of repair. All type IV endoleaks seal spontaneously and do not require treatment.

2334 Endotension. Endotension is defined as sac enlargement without a discernable

2335 endoleak. It may be caused by blood flow that is undetectable at the limits of the imaging

2336 modality, pressure transmission through fabric,649, 650 or accumulation of a serous ultra-filtrate

2337 across a microporous fabric.612 Endotension is less common with the newer generation grafts.

2338 Management should be individualized, and may include observation, relining of low-porosity

2339 endografts, or rarely explantation and conversion to open repair.

2340 2341 2342 We recommend treatment of Type I endoleaks. 2343 2344 Level of recommendation Strong 2345 Quality of Evidence Moderate 2346 2347 2348 We suggest treatment of Type II endoleaks associated with aneurysm expansion. 2349 2350 Level of recommendation Weak 2351 Quality of Evidence Low 2352 2353 2354 We recommend surveillance of Type II endoleaks not associated with aneurysm expansion. 2355 2356 Level of recommendation Strong 2357 Quality of Evidence Moderate 2358 2359 2360 We recommend treatment of Type III endoleaks. 2361 2362 Level of recommendation Strong 2363 Quality of Evidence Moderate

96

2364 We suggest no treatment of Type IV endoleaks. 2365 2366 Level of recommendation Weak 2367 Quality of Evidence Low 2368 2369 2370 We recommend open repair if endovascular intervention fails to treat a Type I or III endoleak 2371 with ongoing aneurysm enlargement. 2372 2373 Level of recommendation Strong 2374 Quality of Evidence Moderate 2375 2376 2377 We suggest open repair if endovascular intervention fails to treat a Type II endoleak with 2378 ongoing aneurysm enlargement. 2379 2380 Level of recommendation Weak 2381 Quality of Evidence Low 2382 2383 2384 We suggest treatment for ongoing aneurysm expansion, even in the absence of a visible 2385 endoleak. 2386 2387 Level of recommendation Weak 2388 Quality of Evidence Low 2389 2390

2391 Device migration. Device migration most commonly presents as caudal migration of

2392 the proximal endograft. A delayed type IA endoleak will occur if the endograft migrates into the

2393 aneurysm sac. Rarely aortic remodeling will create forces that cause cranial migration of the

2394 distal landing zone and a resultant type IB endoleak. Device migration is a late event, typically

2395 occurring two or more years after implantation.651-653 Factors that predispose to migration

2396 include hostile neck anatomy, inadequate device fixation, and progressive aortic dilatation and

2397 elongation.651, 654-656

2398 Treatment for caudal device migration depends on anatomic considerations, including

2399 the quality of the aortic seal zone, as well as the distance between the renal arteries and the flow

2400 divider of the original endograft. Options include conversion to an aorto-unilateral iliac bypass

2401 with crossover femoral-femoral bypass and iliac occlusion or placement of an aortic extension

97

2402 cuff. However, the former approach has a lower risk of recurrent endoleak and rupture since

2403 treatment with an aortic cuff is often associated with continued risk of device migration.657

2404 Alternatives include proximal extension with a branched or fenestrated endograft.351 FEVAR for

2405 EVAR failure is technically complex because the existing endograft may interfere with rotational

2406 torque and visualization of the radio-opaque markers.

2407 Limb occlusion. Nearly 25% of all arterial re-interventions after open repair are due to

2408 limb occlusion, and are most common in patients with associated occlusive disease.658 Limb

2409 occlusion appears to be greater in women and in grafts extending to the femoral artery. Isolated

2410 limb occlusion usually presents with claudication, but occlusion of the entire graft may present

2411 with severe ischemia. On occasion, a patient may present before complete occlusion of the

2412 graft.

2413 Endografts are at a higher risk for limb thrombosis than bifurcated surgical grafts, as

2414 observed in the EVAR-1 trial.659 Endograft limbs can be narrowed by a calcified small aortic

2415 bifurcation or by tortuous, angulated, and diseased iliac arteries. Although device-dependent,

2416 the incidence of limb occlusion after EVAR is approximately 4%, with the majority of occlusions

2417 presenting within two months and nearly all within the first year after EVAR.370, 660, 661 Non-

2418 supported limbs are at especially high risk of limb occlusion.662 However, stented limbs may

2419 also occlude due to fabric in-folding and kinking between stents.660, 663 While the causes of

2420 endograft limb occlusion may be related to a number of factors, one of the most common

2421 reasons is compromised outflow. Occlusion of the internal iliac artery with or without extension

2422 of the endograft limb to the external iliac artery or unrecognized distal dissection may increase

2423 the risk of limb thrombosis.664, 665 Acute endograft limb occlusion often presents with worsening

2424 claudication rather than critical ischemia, provided the limb has been deployed proximal to the

2425 internal iliac artery, which facilitates collateral perfusion to the lower extremity.

2426 A stenotic limb, noted on Duplex or by a reduction in ankle-brachial index, can be treated

2427 by stent placement. An occluded limb after EVAR or open repair includes, can be treated by

98

2428 thrombectomy, pharmacolytic therapy with secondary endovascular or local surgical

2429 intervention, or by femoral-femoral or axillo-femoral bypass. Mechanical balloon thrombectomy

2430 is less likely to be successful for treatment of an endograft limb thrombosis due to difficulty

2431 advancing the catheter beyond the occluded segment, concerns related to dislodging or

2432 disrupting the sealing zones, and the presence of stents, which may interfere with balloon

2433 thrombectomy. The underlying cause of the thrombosis must be identified and treated and if a

2434 mechanical cause for thrombosis cannot be determined, femoral-femoral bypass should be

2435 considered. Simple thrombectomy or thrombolysis will often lead to recurrent early thrombosis.

2436 Five year patency for a femoral-femoral bypass graft, when placed in the treatment of

2437 aneurysmal disease exceeds 80%.666, 667

2438 2439 2440 We recommend that follow-up of patients after aneurysm repair include a thorough lower 2441 extremity pulse exam or ABI. 2442 2443 Level of recommendation Strong 2444 Quality of evidence Moderate 2445 2446 2447 We recommend a prompt evaluation for possible graft limb occlusion if patients develop new 2448 onset lower extremity claudication, ischemia, or a reduction in ABI after aneurysm repair. 2449 2450 Level of recommendation Strong 2451 Quality of evidence High 2452 2453

2454 Graft infection. All implanted aortic prostheses are at risk for infection either at

2455 implantation or later by hematogenous seeding. Although graft infection is rare with an

2456 incidence of 0.3%668, historically, it has been the indication for intervention in up to 25% of redo

2457 aortic surgery.658 Although controversial, the risk of graft infection after EVAR may be lower

2458 than after open repair, perhaps due to delivery of the endoprosthesis through a completely

2459 enclosed system.663, 669 However, the EVAR-1 trial had a comparable incidence of device

2460 infection between EVAR and open repair over a four year follow-up period.659 Similarly, in a

99

2461 recent analysis of more than 45,000 Medicare beneficiaries, graft infections or aortoenteric

2462 fistulae four years after EVAR or open repair was comparable for both groups (~0.3%).58

2463 Likewise, Vogel reported a nearly identical two-year incidence of graft infection (< 0.2%) for

2464 OSR or EVAR in a review of 14,000 patients undergoing aneurysm repair.670 Graft infection after

2465 EVAR or open repair may present in isolation or with an aortoenteric fistula.671, 672

2466 While aortic graft infection presents on average three years or later after open repair,

2467 endograft infection often manifests earlier for reasons that remain unclear.658 673, 674 Femoral

2468 artery extension of a prosthesis increases the incidence of graft infection from 1% to 3%.675

2469 Other predisposing factors for graft infection include the need for surgical revision and emergent

2470 indication for initial surgery. Generalized sepsis, groin drainage, pseudoaneurysm formation, or

2471 ill-defined pain may be presenting symptoms and staphylococcal organisms are the most

2472 frequent isolates.676 CT imaging may provide an initial estimate of the extent of infection,

2473 determine if a pseudoaneurysm exists at the proximal anastomosis, and assist in operative

2474 planning for effective revascularization of the lower extremities.

2475 Conventional treatment for graft infection includes staged excision of all infected graft

2476 material with extra-anatomic reconstruction, particularly in the presence of extensive

2477 contamination and gross purulence.658, 677-681 In situ reconstruction using femoral vein, a silver

2478 or antibiotic impregnated graft, or cryopreserved allograft represent additional surgical options,

2479 and particularly appropriate in the presence of minimal contamination. Placement of a silver or

2480 antibiotic prosthetic or PTFE graft in a grossly contaminated field is reserved for the unstable

2481 patient.677, 682-686

2482 Treatment of an endograft infection poses unique challenges. A dense inflammatory

2483 reaction can completely obliterate natural tissue planes and endograft hooks or suprarenal

2484 fixation may dictate the need for supraceliac cross clamping to explant the device. Further,

2485 hooks and the suprarenal segment may be embedded into the aortic wall or covered with a

2486 pseudo-intima requiring careful removal to avoid injury to the operator, aortic wall, as well as

100

2487 preservation of the aortic neck for closure or in situ reconstruction. Despite the introduction of

2488 endograft re-sheathing techniques, attendant renal ischemia is an established risk.

2489 Percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy has been suggested for patients unfit to undergo

2490 open repair.673, 687-689

2491 An aortoenteric fistula can complicate a graft infection in 1% to 2% of patients.671, 676

2492 Although the duodenum is most frequently affected, all viscera, including small and large bowel,

2493 have been implicated.672, 676 A common presentation is upper gastrointestinal bleeding, as a

2494 herald bleed, which may progress to exsanguinating hemorrhage.690 Any upper gastrointestinal

2495 bleeding in a patient with an aortic graft should raise the suspicion of an aortoenteric fistula.

2496 The diagnosis may occasionally be confirmed by endoscopy or CT imaging.691-693 Bleeding is

2497 more common when the anastomosis erodes into the gastrointestinal tract, while sepsis and

2498 abscess formation are more common with para-prosthetic fistula involving the body of the graft.

2499 Treatment strategies are similar to primary graft infections but must include closure of the

2500 visceral defect.694 While endovascular repair of an aortoenteric fistula is uniformly unsuccessful,

2501 severe hemorrhage may necessitate the use of an endograft to temporarily control bleeding, as

2502 a “bridge” to definitive surgical repair.695, 696

2503 Prevention of an aortic graft infection. Recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis

2504 after placement of an aortic prosthesis following open surgical repair or EVAR have historically

2505 followed guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis after a prosthetic heart valve.

2506 Recent guidelines have sought to reduce the indications of antibiotic prophylaxis, particularly

2507 with the publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance

2508 in 2008, which recommended against antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis, regardless

2509 of the dental, genitourinary, or gastrointestinal procedure, or predisposing cardiac condition,

2510 including the presence of a prosthetic valve.697 A recent report has observed a small but

2511 statistically significant increase in infective endocarditis cases in the UK since the

2512 implementation of the NICE recommendations.698 Although limitations exist in this study and

101

2513 causation has not been established, concerns have been raised.699 Several investigations note

2514 a relationship between dental procedures and infective endocarditis in high risk patients.423

2515 Current European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology, and American Heart

2516 Association guidelines recommend ongoing use of antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with a

2517 prosthetic valve undergoing high risk procedures.700, 701 High risk procedures, as defined in both

2518 guidelines, included dental procedures involving the manipulation of the gingival or periapical

2519 region of teeth or perforation of the oral mucosa, including scaling and root canal procedures.701

2520 Both guidelines noted that there was no compelling evidence that bacteremia resulted from

2521 respiratory tract procedures, gastrointestinal or genitorurinary procedures, dermatological or

2522 musculoskeletal procedures and prophylaxis was not recommended for patients undergoing

2523 these procedures unless the procedures were performed in the presence of an infection.701 It

2524 was also strongly recommended that any potential sources of dental sepsis be eliminated at

2525 least 2 weeks before implantation of a prosthetic valve or other intracardiac or intravascular

2526 foreign material, unless the procedure was deemed urgent. Others have raised concerns that

2527 patients undergoing colonoscopy or urological procedures, especially the elderly and those with

2528 cancer or who are immunocompromised require antibiotic prophylaxis.702, 703 Both the European

2529 and AHA/ACC guidelines noted that their recommendations were not based on strong evidence

2530 and further prospective evaluation was recommended.

2531 For those patients with an aortic prosthesis, whether placed by open surgical repair or

2532 EVAR, we suggest antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent graft infection prior to any dental procedure

2533 involving the manipulation of the gingival or periapical region of teeth or perforation of the oral

2534 mucosa, including scaling and root canal procedures. We also suggest antibiotic prophylaxis

2535 prior to respiratory tract procedures, gastrointestinal or genitorurinary procedures,

2536 dermatological or musculoskeletal procedures, if the potential for infection exists or the patient is

2537 immunocompromised.

2538

102

2539 2540 2541 We recommend antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent graft infection prior to any dental procedure 2542 involving the manipulation of the gingival or periapical region of teeth or perforation of the oral 2543 mucosa, including scaling and root canal procedures, for any patient with an aortic prosthesis, 2544 whether placed by open surgical repair or EVAR. 2545 2546 Level of recommendation Strong 2547 Quality of evidence Moderate 2548 2549 We suggest antibiotic prophylaxis prior to respiratory tract procedures, gastrointestinal or 2550 genitorurinary procedures, dermatological or musculoskeletal procedures, for any patient with 2551 an aortic prosthesis, if the potential for infection exists or the patient is immunocompromised. 2552 2553 Level of recommendation Good practice statement 2554 Quality of evidence Ungraded 2555 2556 2557 After aneurysm repair, we recommend prompt evaluation for possible graft infection if a patient 2558 presents with generalized sepsis, groin drainage, pseudoaneurysm formation, or ill-defined pain. 2559 2560 Level of recommendation Strong 2561 Quality of evidence High 2562 2563 2564 We recommend prompt evaluation for possible aortoenteric fistula in a patient presenting with 2565 gastrointestinal bleeding after aneurysm repair. 2566 2567 Level of recommendation Strong 2568 Quality of evidence High 2569 2570 In patients presenting with an infected graft in the presence of extensive contamination with 2571 gross purulence, we recommend extra-anatomic reconstruction followed by excision of all graft 2572 material along with aortic stump closure covered by an omental flap. 2573 2574 Level of recommendation Strong 2575 Quality of evidence Moderate 2576 2577 2578 In patients presenting with an infected graft with minimal contamination, we suggest in situ 2579 reconstruction with cryopresevered allograft. 2580 2581 Level of recommendation Weak 2582 Quality of evidence Moderate 2583 2584 2585 In a stable patient presenting with an infected graft, we suggest in situ reconstruction with 2586 femoral vein after graft excision and debridement. 2587 2588 Level of recommendation Weak 2589 Quality of evidence Moderate

103

2590 2591 In unstable patients with infected graft, we recommend in situ reconstruction with a silver or 2592 antibiotic impregnated graft, cryopreserved allograft, or a PTFE graft. 2593 2594 Level of recommendation Strong 2595 Quality of evidence Moderate 2596 2597 2598 2599 Incisional hernia. Retroperitoneal incisions for aortic aneurysm repair may lead to

2600 denervation of the 11th intercostal nerve, which has been associated with numbness in the

2601 region of the incision in up to one-third of patients, as well as bulging of the lateral abdominal

2602 wall with musculature atrophy in 7 to 15%.381, 704 Transperitoneal repair is associated with a

2603 higher incidence of late small bowel obstruction and approximately 10% of patients may develop

2604 a ventral hernia within the first 6 years after repair, particularly among those who are obese.705,

2605 706 Should a midline incision be used, continuous suturing technique and avoidance of rapidly

2606 absorbable sutures is recommended.707 Wound infections of the abdominal incisions are rare

2607 (0.4%).706

2608 Para-anastomotic aneurysm. Para-anastomotic aneurysms after aortic aneurysm

2609 repair include both false aneurysms resulting from a disruption of the anastomosis and true

2610 aneurysms that develop adjacent to the anastomosis. True metachronous aneurysms occur at

2611 a greater frequency than anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. However, the incidence of para-

2612 anastomotic aneurysms is not well defined. Predisposing factors include hypertension, COPD,

2613 and tobacco use.708-712 In the era prior to CT imaging, Szilagyi analyzed a 15-year experience in

2614 which anastomoses at the femoral artery were at highest risk (3%), followed by the iliac artery

2615 (1.2%) and infrarenal aorta (0.2%).711 Subsequent studies have reported an incidence after

2616 open repair of between 4% and 10% at 10-year follow-up.709 In one study of 511 patients,

2617 Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a probability of para-anastomotic aneurysm of 0.8% at five

2618 years, 6.2% at 10 years, and 35.8% at 15 years.710 This observation has been confirmed by

2619 others, particularly the risk of femoral pseudoaneurysm formation among patients treated with

104

2620 an aortobifemoral graft.709, 712 Indolent graft infection should be suspected in all

2621 pseudoaneurysms.

2622 Given the inability to precisely differentiate anastomotic disruption from degenerative

2623 aneurysmal dilatation, indications for repairing para-anastomotic aneurysms are not well

2624 defined. Clearly large size and rapid enlargement are indications for intervention. Redo open

2625 repair carries a significant risk of major morbidity and mortality and endovascular repair, where

2626 anatomically feasible, provides a minimally invasive option.713, 714 Infrarenal and fenestrated

2627 endografts have been used with chimney, as well as snorkeling techniques.715-718 715, 717-719

2628

2629 Recommendation for postoperative surveillance

2630 Systematic reviews by the SVS showed a significant incidence of postoperative

2631 endoleaks up to 5 years after EVAR, which provides rationale for surveillance. The evidence

2632 was insufficient to recommend an optimal frequency of surveillance. MRI was more sensitive

2633 than CTA and contrast CT although the difference was small. Duplex ultrasound was inferior to

2634 CT and contrast enhanced ultrasound in terms of detection rate, although leaks missed on

2635 ultrasound did not require intervention or were not considered to be clinically significant.

2636 The goal of postoperative surveillance is to prevent late rupture and aneurysm-related

2637 death. After open surgical repair, an anastomotic aneurysm or aneurysmal dilatation in the

2638 adjacent visceral aorta or iliac arteries may occur in 1%, 5%, and 20% of patients at 5, 10 and

2639 15 years.709, 712 Thus, abdominal and pelvic CT imaging is recommend every 5 years after open

2640 surgical repair.

2641 Surveillance after EVAR is performed to identify sac growth, endoleak, device migration,

2642 or device failure. A comprehensive analysis of contemporary Medicare patients revealed that

2643 the incidence of late rupture 8 years after EVAR is over 5%.340 Most ruptures developed from

2644 type I or type III endoleaks with sac enlargement, predisposed by unfavorable anatomy for

2645 endovascular repair.720-722

105

2646 Surveillance imaging modality. Initially recommended surveillance protocols were

2647 consistent with those used by FDA-sponsored pivotal trials with CT imaging at 1, 6 and 12

2648 months and yearly thereafter. The 6-month CT scan can be eliminated from routine surveillance

2649 if the one-month scan shows no concerning endoleak or sac enlargement.723, 724

2650 Color duplex ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced color duplex ultrasonography, and

2651 three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography have all shown to be accurate in

2652 detecting type I and type III endoleaks, as well as sac enlargement.725-729 Ultrasonography

2653 eliminates radiation exposure, reduces cost, and avoids use of a nephrotoxic contrast agent.

2654 Further surveillance with ultrasound is safe if CT imaging one year after EVAR demonstrates no

2655 endoleak and stable sac size724 729 or for those patients with a type II endoleak and a stable

2656 aneurysm size.728 A new endoleak, graft migration or aneurysm sac growth greater than 5 mm -

2657 10 mm should prompt further evaluation with a CT scan.

2658 Surveillance outcomes. Surveillance non-compliance rates approach 60%730, 731 with

2659 gaps observed 3 to 4 years after EVAR, particularly among patients of advanced age, Medicaid

2660 eligibility, or after treatment at a low volume center.730, 732 Although the risk of late device related

2661 complications and aneurysm rupture are well documented, population studies have not

2662 demonstrated that annual EVAR surveillance confers a survival benefit or decreases aneurysm-

2663 related mortality.731, 733 Not all late ruptures are preceded by endoleak or sac enlargement, which

2664 suggests that not all late ruptures can be prevented by vigilant surveillance.734, 735

2665 Summary. Current recommendations for surveillance after EVAR include a CT scan at

2666 one month. Concerning findings should prompt surveillance at 6 months. In the absence of a

2667 type I or type III endoleak and sac enlargement surveillance can be performed with CT or color

2668 duplex ultrasound. Annual duplex is most likely sufficient for routine surveillance in the absence

2669 of new endoleak or sac enlargement. New findings should prompt CT imaging to evaluate for I

2670 or type III endoleaks. Abdominal and pelvic CT imaging should be performed every 5 years

2671 after open surgical repair or EVAR.

106

2672 2673 2674 We recommend surveillance during the first year after EVAR using contrast enhanced CT at 2675 one month and in the absence of an endoleak or sac enlargement, contrast enhanced CT or 2676 color duplex sonographic imaging at 12 months. 2677 2678 Level of recommendation Strong 2679 Quality of evidence Moderate 2680 2681 2682 If a Type II endoleak is observed one month after EVAR, we suggest postoperative surveillance 2683 with contrast enhanced CT and color duplex sonographic imaging at six months. 2684 2685 Level of recommendation Weak 2686 Quality of evidence Moderate 2687 2688 2689 If neither endoleak nor AAA enlargement is observed one year after EVAR, we suggest color 2690 Duplex ultrasonography when feasible, or CT imaging if ultrasound is not possible, for annual 2691 surveillance. 2692 2693 Level of recommendation Weak 2694 Quality of evidence Low 2695 2696 2697 If a Type II endoleak is associated with an aneurysm sac that is shrinking or stable in size, we 2698 suggest color Duplex ultrasonography for continued surveillance at 6 month intervals for 24 2699 months and then annually thereafter. 2700 2701 Level of recommendation Weak 2702 Quality of evidence Low 2703 2704 2705 If a new endoleak is detected, we suggest evaluation for a Type I or Type III endoleak. 2706 2707 Level of recommendation Weak 2708 Quality of evidence Low 2709 2710 We suggest non-contrast CT imaging of the entire aorta at five-year intervals after open 2711 repair or EVAR. 2712 2713 Level of recommendation Weak 2714 Quality of evidence Low 2715 2716

2717

2718

107

2719 COST AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN ANEURYSM REPAIR

2720 The complexity and intensity associated with aortic aneurysm treatment results in

2721 significant costs and resource utilization. These initial costs include imaging, preoperative risk

2722 management, the operating room, personnel, implants, and recovery. Long-term follow-up and

2723 imaging has costs, as well as the treatment of any complications from the initial procedure or

2724 failure of the graft itself. Besides these provider costs, patients and their families also bear cost

2725 from lost work productivity and out-of-pocket expenditures.

2726 Contemporary estimates show that in-hospital costs of treatment for open repair or

2727 EVAR are approximately $40,000 in the US, with lower cost estimates in Canada ($16,000

2728 USD) and other countries.736, 737 Implants are a significant portion of EVAR costs (34-52%) but

2729 these costs are offset by the higher costs after open repair from longer hospitalization.738, 739

2730 While open repair is slightly more expensive during the initial hospitalization, there are no

2731 significant differences seen in long-term follow-up due to need for surveillance imaging and re-

2732 interventions after EVAR.

2733 Calculating cost of care does not shed light on the benefit of care. The major benefit of

2734 treatment for patients with an aortic aneurysm is increased survival. However, patients endure

2735 a decreased quality of life after surgery, which may be prolonged should a complication occur.

2736 Because EVAR confers a lower complication rate and smaller incisions compared to open

2737 repair, patients undergoing EVAR generally have better health-related quality of life within the

2738 first 12 months, though there is no significant difference beyond the first year.740

2739 When cost and effectiveness are combined, cost-effectiveness analysis can reveal the

2740 value of different treatment options, and also allow comparison to other treatments in other

2741 fields. Early Markov decision analysis models show that EVAR was cost-effective compared to

2742 open repair, with an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of $22,826.741 However, contemporary

2743 Markov models using data from the DREAM,742 EVAR-1,659 OVER,743 and ACE338 randomized

2744 trials showed EVAR to be cost-effective based on the OVER trial data, but no difference in

108

2745 lifetime cost-effectiveness was derived from data generated by the European trials, suggesting

2746 that results may not be generalizable among different countries.744 EVAR also does not appear

2747 to be cost-effective for treatment of complicated aneurysms. Cost comparisons for fenestrated

2748 or branched EVAR graft demonstrated higher costs in comparison to open repair (€38,212 vs.

2749 €16,497) without significant differences in 30-day mortality.745

2750 Most of the data for cost-effectiveness pertains to elective cases, where expected

2751 morbidity and mortality can be managed through patient selection and preparation. In the

2752 urgent and emergent situation, morbidity and mortality risk is higher, leading to higher costs and

2753 lower quality of life. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that EVAR in the acute setting is

2754 favorable.746

2755 A single screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm in asymptomatic men over

2756 65 has shown to be cost-effective in the UK234 and through Markov modeling.747 In the UK, the

2757 cost per life year saved with screening was $1,173, which is less costly than screening

2758 programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer.748 The cost-effectiveness of screening for

2759 younger cohorts, women, and reimaging intervals for small aneurysms remains uncertain. Early

2760 treatment of a small aneurysm, less than 5 cm in diameter, is not cost-effective in comparison to

2761 serial imaging.749

2762 Because of the lower peri-operative complication rates with EVAR, patients who could

2763 not undergo open repair are being offered EVAR or hybrid procedures. In the setting of

2764 constrained costs and capitated care, expensive procedures for asymptomatic elderly patients

2765 with significant comorbidities who will not derive a meaningful survival benefit are not cost-

2766 effective.

2767 EVAR implants are a major component of costs of treatment. As additional devices

2768 have been introduced to the market, it had been speculated that competition would lower price

2769 and incentivize further innovation. However, a decrease in device cost has not been observed.

2770 Several institutions have reported that EVAR confers a negative operating margin in Medicare

109

2771 beneficiaries.750, 751 While cost-effectiveness results can vary among different patient

2772 populations, healthcare systems, and over time, the factors that influence cost and outcomes

2773 remain consistent. In a future of rising costs and constrained resources, cost-effectiveness

2774 analysis will provide a basis to guide healthcare policy that sustains healthcare coverage for all.

2775 2776 2777 CARE OF THE PATIENT WITH AN AAA: AREAS IN NEED OF FURTHER RESEARCH 2778 2779 Advances in biotechnology, drug discovery, and in the engineering sciences holds

2780 significant promise for the development of new diagnostic tests, bioactive compounds, as well

2781 as intraoperative tools and devices that will enhance the care of the patient with an aortic

2782 aneurysm. Research is needed to: (1) ascertain genetic or other biological factors that

2783 accurately measure the life-long risk of developing an aortic aneurysm; (2) discover

2784 pharmacological agents to limit aneurysm enlargement; (3) characterize biomarkers or imaging

2785 derived determinants of rupture risk; (4) design prostheses that resist infection and thrombosis;

2786 (5) develop tools, intraoperative imaging or robotic systems, as well as improved endovascular

2787 grafts that facilitate repair in the presence of challenging anatomy and improve the safety and

2788 accuracy of device deployment; and (6) identify approaches that reliably treat type I and II

2789 endoleaks. All within the framework of enhancing cost effective care.

2790 A number of areas of uncertainty also exist in the care of patients with an abdominal

2791 aortic aneurysm in the application of existing technology that would benefit from further

2792 investigation. Further, given the role of sex differences in the pathophysiology and outcomes of

2793 AAA, investigations in cells, animals, and humans should be designed to assess for gender and

2794 should clearly state related study population details so that results can be interpreted

2795 appropriately. While the following list is not meant to be comprehensive, future research efforts

2796 should consider addressing the following topics:

2797 • What is the most cost effective and clinically effective surveillance protocol for the patient

2798 with a small aneurysm?

110

2799 • Should the aortic size index replace aortic diameter as a determinant for recommending

2800 aneurysm repair?

2801 • Do female patients benefit from a refined metric, such as the aortic size index, or size

2802 threshold for recommending repair?

2803 • Which quality and volume metrics best identify centers that should engage in either EVAR or

2804 the open surgical repair of an aortic aneurysm?

2805 • Does use of a perioperative mortality risk scoring scheme provide benefit in patient and

2806 family communication and mutual decision making?

2807 • Does a perioperative mortality risk scoring scheme provide utility to surgeons, patients, and

2808 families in guiding recommendations for repair in the high risk patient?

2809 • Can perioperative mortality risk scoring schemes be further refined to enhance their

2810 predictive ability?

2811 • Does a frailty assessment enhance our ability to identify those patients who will not benefit

2812 from aneurysm repair?

2813 • Can a single risk-benefit scoring scheme be developed, which incorporate risk of repair, risk

2814 of aneurysm rupture, and anticipated life expectancy?

2815 • Would a risk-benefit scoring scheme that incorporate risk of repair, risk of aneurysm rupture,

2816 and anticipated life expectancy assist mutual decision making between the surgeon, patient,

2817 and their family?

2818 • Will a defined system of care and associated time benchmark from first medical contact to

2819 intervention improve outcomes for the patient with a ruptured aneurysm?

2820 • Which factors are most important in optimizing patient outcomes within a system of care for

2821 the treatment of a ruptured aneurysm?

2822 • Is prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis needed for the patient undergoing EVAR?

111

2823 • Does the patient undergoing open surgical repair and at low or moderate risk for deep vein

2824 thrombosis benefit from heparin prophylaxis?

2825 • What is the optimal hemoglobin level that necessitates transfusion in the stable

2826 postoperative patient without ongoing blood loss?

2827 • What is the optimal interval, imaging modality, and duration for postoperative surveillance

2828 after aneurysm repair?

2829 • What is the most cost effective and clinically effective surveillance protocol for the patient

2830 after EVAR?

2831

2832

112

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5274

166

5275 Table Legends

5276 Table 1. Evidence profiles derived from evidence synthesis reports (systematic reviews and

5277 meta-analysis) that were identified through an umbrella systematic review.

5278 Table 2. Risk factors for the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. From Kent KC,

5279 Zwolak RM, Egorova NN, Riles TS, Manganaro A, Moskowitz AJ, et al. Analysis of

5280 risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm in a cohort of more than 3 million

5281 individuals. J Vasc Surg. 2010;52(3):539-48.

5282 Table 3. Preoperative cardiac evaluation for the patient undergoing aneurysm repair. From

5283 Chaikof EL, Brewster DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The

5284 care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery

5285 practice guidelines. J Vasc Surg. 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49 and originally adapted

5286 from Fleisher LA, Beckman JA, Brown KA, Calkins H, Chaikof E, Fleischmann KE, et

5287 al. ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and care

5288 for noncardiac surgery: executive summary. Circulation 2007; 116:1971-96.

5289 Table 4. Functional capacity estimation from an assessment of physical activity. From

5290 Chaikof EL, Brewster DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The

5291 care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery

5292 practice guidelines. J Vasc Surg. 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49 and originally adapted

5293 from The Duke Activity Status Index Hlatky MA, Boineau RE, Higginbotham MB, Lee

5294 KL, Mark DB, Califf RM, et al. A brief self-administered questionnaire to determine

5295 functional capacity (the Duke Activity Status Index). Am J Cardiol 1989;64:651-4.

5296 Table 5. Genetic loci implicated in the pathogenesis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. From

5297 Golledge J, Kuivaniemi H. Genetics of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Curr Opin

5298 Cardiol. 2013;28(3):290-6.

5299 Table 6A. Mortality risk scoring scheme for patients undergoing repair of an abdominal aortic

5300 aneurysm. From Eslami MH, Rybin D, Doros G, Kalish JA, Farber A, Vascular Study

167

5301 Group of New E. Comparison of a Vascular Study Group of New England risk

5302 prediction model with established risk prediction models of in-hospital mortality after

5303 elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. J Vasc Surg. 2015;62(5):1125-33.e2.

5304 Table 6B. Risk categorization based on mortality risk scoring scheme (Table 5A) for patients

5305 undergoing repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. From Eslami MH, Rybin D,

5306 Doros G, Kalish JA, Farber A, Vascular Study Group of New E. Comparison of a

5307 Vascular Study Group of New England risk prediction model with established risk

5308 prediction models of in-hospital mortality after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm

5309 repair. J Vasc Surg. 2015;62(5):1125-33.e2.

5310 Table 7. Surgical approaches for open aneurysm repair. Adapted from Chaikof EL, Brewster

5311 DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The care of patients with

5312 an abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines.

5313 J Vasc Surg. 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49.

5314 Table 8. Estimated perioperative complications after elective open surgery for AAA. From

5315 Schermerhorn ML, Cronenwett JL. Abdominal aortic and iliac aneurysms. In:

5316 Rutherford RB, editor. Vascular Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders;

5317 2005. p. 1431.

5318

168

5319 Figure Legends

5320 Figure 1. The annual adult per capita cigarette consumption and age-adjusted abdominal

5321 aortic aneurysm (AAA) deaths per 100,000 white men by year in the United States.

5322 AAA: abdominal aortic aneurysm. From Lederle FA. The rise and fall of abdominal

5323 aortic aneurysm. Circulation. 2011;124(10):1097-9.

5324 Figure 2A. Influence of smoking (current versus ex/never) on aneurysm enlargement in

5325 individual studies and meta-analysis (please see primary source for individual

5326 study citations). MASS: Multicenter Aneurysm Screening Study; PIVOTAL: Positive

5327 Impact of endovascular Options for Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT: United

5328 Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial. From Sweeting MJ, Thompson SG, Brown LC,

5329 Powell JT. Meta-analysis of individual patient data to examine factors affecting

5330 growth and rupture of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Br J Surg.

5331 2012;99(5):655-65.

5332 Figure 2B. Influence of diabetes on aneurysm enlargement in individual studies and meta-

5333 analysis (please see primary source for individual study citations). PIVOTAL:

5334 Positive Impact of endovascular Options for Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT:

5335 United Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial. Adapted from Sweeting MJ, Thompson

5336 SG, Brown LC, Powell JT. Meta-analysis of individual patient data to examine

5337 factors affecting growth and rupture of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Br J

5338 Surg. 2012;99(5):655-65.

5339 Figure 3. Meta-regression of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate estimates by aneurysm

5340 diameter (please see primary source for individual study citations). The solid line

5341 represents the overall regression, the dotted line connects estimates from the

5342 same study, and circles have diameters that represent amount of information.

5343 Adapted from Thompson SG, Brown LC, Sweeting MJ, Bown MJ, Kim LG, Glover

5344 MJ, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the growth and rupture rates of

169

5345 small abdominal aortic aneurysms: implications for surveillance intervals and their

5346 cost-effectiveness. Health Technol Assess. 2013;17(41):1-118.

5347 Figure 4. Estimated time to have a 10% probability of attaining an aortic diameter of 5.5 cm

5348 in male patients (please see primary source for individual study citations). Black

5349 diamonds represent 95% confidence intervals and errors represent 95% prediction

5350 intervals. MASS: Multicenter Aneurysm Screening Study; PIVOTAL: Positive

5351 Impact of endovascular Options for Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT: United

5352 Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial. Adapted from Thompson SG, Brown LC,

5353 Sweeting MJ, Bown MJ, Kim LG, Glover MJ, et al. Systematic review and meta-

5354 analysis of the growth and rupture rates of small abdominal aortic aneurysms:

5355 implications for surveillance intervals and their cost-effectiveness. Health Technol

5356 Assess. 2013;17(41):1-118.

5357 Figure 5. Algorithm for management of the patient with a suspected or confirmed ruptured

5358 aneurysm.

5359 Figure 6. Referring hospital checklist for the patient with a suspected or confirmed ruptured

5360 aneurysm.

5361 Figure 7. Receiving hospital personnel alert checklist for management of the patient with a

5362 suspected or confirmed ruptured aneurysm.

5363

170

5364 Table 1: Evidence profiles derived from evidence synthesis reports (systematic 5365 reviews and meta-analysis) that were identified through an umbrella systematic 5366 review:

Systematic Question/comparison Findings (Quality of evidence) reviews Screening, diagnosis and preoperative surveillance Guirguis-Blake, Effectiveness of • Screening (primarily in men >65) was 2014752 screening for AAA associated with reduction in AAA- Cosford, 2011753 mortality (High). Absolute reduction (4 Takaji, 2010754 per 1,000). Number needed to screen (238). Alamoudi, Diagnostic accuracy of • AAA < 2.5 cm, the mean reported 2015755 imaging for AAA sensitivities and specificities: Concannon, compared to digital -DUS: 81% and 91.1% 2014756 subtraction angiography -CTA: 84.3% and 98.4% -MRA: 95.8% and 95.8% • Non-radiologist performed ultrasound achieved acceptable sensitivity and specificity for both detection and measurement of AAA. Sweeting, Factors affecting growth • Rupture was higher in women, 2012757 and rupture of small smokers and elevated blood pressure AAA (moderate) RESCAN Surveillance intervals for • For each 0.5-cm increase in AAA Collaborators, small AAA diameter, growth rates increased on 2013758 average by 0.59 mm per year and rupture rates increased by a factor of 1.91 (moderate). Treatment Stather, 2013759 Open vs endovascular • EVAR had lower 30-day or in-hospital Coughlin, repair mortality rate (high) 2013760 • Reduction in quality of life at 3 months more pronounced with open repair • At 2 and 4 years, no difference in mortality (low) • EVAR required more reinterventions and rupture (high). Biancari, 2011 761 Open vs endovascular • Elective EVAR was associated with repair (age >80) lower immediate postoperative mortality and morbidity (low, observational data) Kontopodis, Open vs endovascular • EVAR was associated with a 2015762 repair (age <70) decreased risk of 30-day mortality

171

and 30-day morbidity and shorter length of hospitalization (moderate). Long-term survival and the need for reintervention was similar (low). Saedon, 2015763 Open vs endovascular • EVAR had fewer 30-day repair (obese patients) postoperative mortality and early postoperative complications (myocardial infarction, chest infection, renal failure, wound infection). Risk of postoperative bowel ischemia and stroke were similar (Low). Rayet, 2008764 Open vs endovascular • EVAR had lower mortality in 31 Sweeting 2015765 repair (ruptured AAA) studies that was insignificant in Antoniou, pooled analysis of 3 recent trials or in 2013766 an adjusted analysis (Low) Antoniou, 2015 767 Badger, 2016768 Li, 2016769 Luebke, 2015770 Ma, 2016771 Transperitoneal vs • No difference in mortality (low). retroperitoneal approach • Retroperitoneal approach may reduce for elective open AAA blood loss, hospital stay and ICU stay repair (Low). • No differences in aortic cross-clamp time and operating time. Twine 772 Retroperitoneal vs • Retroperitoneal approach is transperitoneal approach associated with lower rates of to the infrarenal postoperative ileus and pneumonia abdominal aorta (moderate)

Jackson, 2014773 Totally percutaneous • One small highly imprecise study versus standard femoral (low) artery access for elective bifurcated abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair. BaniHani, Interventions for • The body of direct evidence is 2011774 preventing venous insufficient (2 small studies with thromboembolism methodlogical limitations) following abdominal • Extrapolation from indirect evidence aortic surgery. is required. Twine, 2011775 Effects of statins on AAA • Reduction in mortality (moderate) • No change in expansion (low)

172

Bergqvist, Pharmacological • No consistent pattern of 2011776 interventions to pharmacological influence on attenuate the expansion expansion rate (low) of AAA Pieper, 2013777 Surgical outcomes and • Lower mortality for elective and hospital volume ruptured AAA repair in high volume hospitals (Low) Postoperative Surveillance Habets, 2013778 Magnetic resonance • Magnetic resonance imaging was imaging vs computed more sensitive for endoleaks Type II tomography angiography (moderate). for the detection of endoleaks after EVAR for AAA. Karthikesalinga, Diagnostic accuracy of • Both, duplex ultrasonography and 2012779 duplex ultrasonography contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced were highly specific for types 1 and 3 ultrasonography for endoleaks (moderate) types 1 and 3 endoleak • Sensitivity estimate were likely similar but less reliable Antoniou, Late rupture of AAA after • Graft-related endoleaks were the 2015780 EVAR predominant cause of late aneurysm rupture. 5367 5368

173

5369 Table 2. Risk factors for the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. From Kent KC, 5370 Zwolak RM, Egorova NN, Riles TS, Manganaro A, Moskowitz AJ, et al. Analysis of risk factors 5371 for abdominal aortic aneurysm in a cohort of more than 3 million individuals. J Vasc Surg. 5372 2010;52(3):539-48. 5373 5374 5375 5376

5377

174

5378 Table 3. Preoperative cardiac evaluation for the patient undergoing aneurysm repair. From

5379 Chaikof EL, Brewster DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The care of

5380 patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery practice

5381 guidelines. J Vasc Surg. 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49 and originally adapted from Fleisher LA,

5382 Beckman JA, Brown KA, Calkins H, Chaikof E, Fleischmann KE, et al. ACC/AHA 2007

5383 Guidelines on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and care for noncardiac surgery:

5384 executive summary. Circulation 2007; 116:1971-96.

5385

5386

5387

175

5388 Table 4. Functional capacity estimation from an assessment of physical activity. From Chaikof

5389 EL, Brewster DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The care of patients with

5390 an abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines. J Vasc

5391 Surg. 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49 and originally adapted from The Duke Activity Status Index

5392 Hlatky MA, Boineau RE, Higginbotham MB, Lee KL, Mark DB, Califf RM, et al. A brief self-

5393 administered questionnaire to determine functional capacity (the Duke Activity Status Index).

5394 Am J Cardiol 1989;64:651-4.

5395

5396

5397

5398

5399

176

5400 Table 5. Genetic loci implicated in the pathogenesis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

5401 From Golledge J, Kuivaniemi H. Genetics of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Curr Opin Cardiol.

5402 2013;28(3):290-6.

5403

5404

5405 5406

177

5407 Table 6A. Mortality risk scoring scheme for patients undergoing repair of an abdominal aortic

5408 aneurysm. From Eslami MH, Rybin D, Doros G, Kalish JA, Farber A, Vascular Study Group of

5409 New E. Comparison of a Vascular Study Group of New England risk prediction model with

5410 established risk prediction models of in-hospital mortality after elective abdominal aortic

5411 aneurysm repair. J Vasc Surg. 2015;62(5):1125-33.e2.

5412

5413

5414

5415

178

5416 Table 6B. Risk categorization based on mortality risk scoring scheme (Table 6A) for patients

5417 undergoing repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. From Eslami MH, Rybin D, Doros G, Kalish

5418 JA, Farber A, Vascular Study Group of New E. Comparison of a Vascular Study Group of New

5419 England risk prediction model with established risk prediction models of in-hospital mortality

5420 after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. J Vasc Surg. 2015;62(5):1125-33.e2.

5421

5422

5423

179

5424 Table 7. Surgical approaches for open aneurysm repair. Adapted from Chaikof EL, Brewster

5425 DC, Dalman RL, Makaroun MS, Illig KA, Sicard GA, et al. The care of patients with an

5426 abdominal aortic aneurysm: the Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines. J Vasc Surg.

5427 2009;50(4 Suppl):S2-49.

5428

5429 Transperitoneal Retroperitoneal

Advantages • Most rapid, greatest • Avoids hostile abdomen versatility • Facilitates supra-renal • Provides widest access exposure and control • Enables evaluation and • Potential reduction of treatment of concomitant postoperative ileus intra-abdominal pathology • Obesity • Inflammatory AAA • Horseshoe kidney Disadvantages • Longer postoperative ileus • Poor access to right renal • Potential for greater fluids and iliac arteries loses • Cannot evaluate intra- • Difficulty with exposure and abdominal pathology control for suprarenal • Flank bulge aneurysms • Higher incidence of incisional hernia 5430 5431

180

5432 Table 8. Estimated perioperative complications after elective open surgery for AAA. From

5433 Schermerhorn ML, Cronenwett JL. Abdominal aortic and iliac aneurysms. In: Rutherford RB,

5434 editor. Vascular Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. p. 1431.

5435

5436

5437

5438

181

5439 Figure 1. The annual adult per capita cigarette consumption and age-adjusted abdominal aortic

5440 aneurysm (AAA) deaths per 100,000 white men by year in the United States. AAA: abdominal

5441 aortic aneurysm. From Lederle FA. The rise and fall of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Circulation.

5442 2011;124(10):1097-9.

5443

5444

5445

5446

5447

182

5448 Figure 2A. Influence of smoking (current versus ex/never) on aneurysm enlargement in

5449 individual studies and meta-analysis (please see primary source for individual study citations).

5450 MASS: Multicenter Aneurysm Screening Study; PIVOTAL: Positive Impact of endovascular

5451 Options for Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT: United Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial. From

5452 Sweeting MJ, Thompson SG, Brown LC, Powell JT. Meta-analysis of individual patient data to

5453 examine factors affecting growth and rupture of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Br J Surg.

5454 2012;99(5):655-65.

5455

5456

5457

5458

183

5459 Figure 2B. Influence of diabetes on aneurysm enlargement in individual studies and meta-

5460 analysis (please see primary source for individual study citations). PIVOTAL: Positive Impact of

5461 endovascular Options for Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT: United Kingdom Small Aneurysm

5462 Trial. Adapted from Sweeting MJ, Thompson SG, Brown LC, Powell JT. Meta-analysis of

5463 individual patient data to examine factors affecting growth and rupture of small abdominal aortic

5464 aneurysms. Br J Surg. 2012;99(5):655-65.

5465

5466

5467

5468

5469

184

5470 Figure 3. Meta-regression of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate estimates by aneurysm

5471 diameter (please see primary source for individual study citations). The solid line represents the

5472 overall regression, the dotted line connects estimates from the same study, and circles have

5473 diameters that represent amount of information. Adapted from Thompson SG, Brown LC,

5474 Sweeting MJ, Bown MJ, Kim LG, Glover MJ, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the

5475 growth and rupture rates of small abdominal aortic aneurysms: implications for surveillance

5476 intervals and their cost-effectiveness. Health Technol Assess. 2013;17(41):1-118.

5477

5478

5479

185

5480 Figure 4. Estimated time to have a 10% probability of attaining an aortic diameter of 5.5 cm in

5481 male patients (please see primary source for individual study citations). Black diamonds

5482 represent 95% confidence intervals and errors represent 95% prediction intervals. MASS:

5483 Multicenter Aneurysm Screening Study; PIVOTAL: Positive Impact of endovascular Options for

5484 Treating Aneurysm earLy; UKSAT: United Kingdom Small Aneurysm Trial. Adapted from

5485 Thompson SG, Brown LC, Sweeting MJ, Bown MJ, Kim LG, Glover MJ, et al. Systematic review

5486 and meta-analysis of the growth and rupture rates of small abdominal aortic aneurysms:

5487 implications for surveillance intervals and their cost-effectiveness. Health Technol Assess.

5488 2013;17(41):1-118.

5489

5490

5491

186

5492 Figure 5. Algorithm for management of the patient with a suspected or confirmed ruptured

5493 aneurysm.

5494

5495

187

5496 Figure 6. Referring hospital checklist for the patient with a suspected or confirmed ruptured

5497 aneurysm.

5498

5499

5500

5501

5502

5503

5504

188

5505 Figure 7. Receiving hospital personnel alert checklist for management of the patient with a

5506 suspected or confirmed ruptured aneurysm.

5507

5508

5509

5510

5511

189

5512 APPENDIX: SEARCH STRATEGY

5513 Ovid 5514 Database(s): Embase 1988 to 2016 Week 38, Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non- 5515 Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to Present, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central 5516 Register of Controlled Trials August 2016, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic 5517 Reviews 2005 to September 15, 2016 5518 Search Strategy: # Searches Results exp Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/di, dh, dt, ri, rt, su, th, us [Diagnosis, Diet 1 Therapy, Drug Therapy, Radionuclide Imaging, Radiotherapy, Surgery, Therapy, 12817 Ultrasonography] exp abdominal aorta aneurysm/di, dm, dt, rt, su, th [Diagnosis, Disease 2 14097 Management, Drug Therapy, Radiotherapy, Surgery, Therapy] ("abdominal aorta aneurysm*" or "abdominal aortic aneurysm*" or "aortic 3 39942 abdominal aneurysm*").mp. (((volume* or PET or spiral or helical or 3d or beam or 4d or "whole body") adj (ct or cat or cts or scan*)) or agent* or "cat scan*" or chemotherap* or "*" or diagnos* or drug* or image or images or imaging or intervention* or manag* or 4 medication* or microtomograph* or "micro-tomograph*" or operat* or 28727775 pharmacotherap* or radiotherap* or reconstruction* or repair* or resect* or SPECT or surg* or therap* or tomograph* or treat* or ultrasonograph* or ultrasound* or xray* or "x-ray*").mp. 5 3 and 4 36488 6 1 or 2 or 5 41292 7 exp meta analysis/ 220499 8 exp Meta-Analysis as Topic/ 49995 9 exp Randomized Controlled Trial/ 863768 10 exp triple blind procedure/ 186 11 exp Double-Blind Method/ 381145 12 exp Single-Blind Method/ 63322 13 exp latin square design/ 560 14 exp Placebos/ 333090 15 exp Placebo Effect/ 9804 ((meta adj analys*) or (randomized adj3 study) or (randomized adj3 trial) or (randomised adj3 study) or (randomised adj3 trial) or "pragmatic clinical trial" or 16 (doubl* adj blind*) or (doubl* adj mask*) or (singl* adj blind*) or (singl* adj mask*) 2185771 or (tripl* adj blind*) or (tripl* adj mask*) or (trebl* adj blind*) or (trebl* adj mask*) or "latin square" or placebo* or nocebo*).mp,pt. 17 or/7-16 2185771 18 6 and 17 2529 limit 18 to (english language and yr="1996 -Current") [Limit not valid in CDSR; 19 2267 records were retained] 20 19 not "conference abstract".pt. 2158 21 (exp animals/ or exp nonhuman/) not exp humans/ 8441729

190

((alpaca or alpacas or amphibian or amphibians or animal or animals or antelope or armadillo or armadillos or avian or baboon or baboons or beagle or beagles or bee or bees or bird or birds or bison or bovine or buffalo or buffaloes or buffalos or "c elegans" or "Caenorhabditis elegans" or camel or camels or canine or canines or carp or cats or cattle or chick or chicken or chickens or chicks or chimp or chimpanze or chimpanzees or chimps or cow or cows or "D melanogaster" or "dairy calf" or "dairy calves" or deer or dog or dogs or donkey or donkeys or drosophila or "Drosophila melanogaster" or duck or duckling or ducklings or ducks or equid or equids or equine or equines or feline or felines or ferret or ferrets or finch or finches or fish or flatworm or flatworms or fox or foxes or frog or frogs or "fruit flies" or "fruit fly" or "G mellonella" or "Galleria mellonella" or geese or gerbil or gerbils or goat or goats or goose or gorilla or gorillas or 22 hamster or hamsters or hare or hares or heifer or heifers or horse or horses or 7471491 insect or insects or jellyfish or kangaroo or kangaroos or kitten or kittens or lagomorph or lagomorphs or lamb or lambs or llama or llamas or macaque or macaques or macaw or macaws or marmoset or marmosets or mice or minipig or minipigs or mink or minks or monkey or monkeys or mouse or mule or mules or nematode or nematodes or octopus or octopuses or orangutan or "orang-utan" or orangutans or "orang-utans" or oxen or parrot or parrots or pig or pigeon or pigeons or piglet or piglets or pigs or porcine or primate or primates or quail or rabbit or rabbits or rat or rats or reptile or reptiles or rodent or rodents or ruminant or ruminants or salmon or sheep or shrimp or slug or slugs or swine or tamarin or tamarins or toad or toads or trout or urchin or urchins or vole or voles or waxworm or waxworms or worm or worms or xenopus or "zebra fish" or zebrafish) not (human or humans)).mp. 23 20 not (21 or 22) 2133 24 remove duplicates from 23 1361 5519 5520

191

5521 Scopus 5522 1 TITLE-ABS-KEY("abdominal aorta aneurysm*" OR "abdominal aortic aneurysm*" OR 5523 "aortic abdominal aneurysm*") 5524 2 TITLE-ABS-KEY(((volume* or PET or spiral or helical or 3d or beam or 4d or "whole 5525 body") W/1 (ct or cat or cts or scan*)) OR agent* OR "cat scan*" OR chemotherap* 5526 OR "ct scan*" OR diagnos* OR drug* OR image OR images OR imaging OR 5527 intervention* OR manag* OR medication* OR microtomograph* OR "micro- 5528 tomograph*" OR operat* OR pharmacotherap* OR radiotherap* OR reconstruction* 5529 OR repair* OR resect* OR SPECT OR surg* OR therap* OR tomograph* OR treat* 5530 OR ultrasonograph* OR ultrasound* OR xray* OR "x-ray*") 5531 3 TITLE-ABS-KEY((meta W/1 analys*) OR (randomized W/3 study) OR (randomized 5532 W/3 trial) OR (randomised W/3 study) OR (randomised W/3 trial) OR "pragmatic 5533 clinical trial" OR (doubl* W/1 blind*) OR (doubl* W/1 mask*) OR (singl* W/1 blind*) 5534 OR (singl* W/1 mask*) OR (tripl* W/1 blind*) OR (tripl* W/1 mask*) OR (trebl* W/1 5535 blind*) OR (trebl* W/1 mask*) OR "latin square" OR placebo* OR nocebo*) 5536 4 PUBYEAR AFT 1995 AND LANGUAGE(english) 5537 5 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 5538 6 DOCTYPE(le) OR DOCTYPE(ed) OR DOCTYPE(bk) OR DOCTYPE(er) OR 5539 DOCTYPE(no) OR DOCTYPE(sh) OR DOCTYPE(ab) 5540 7 5 and not 6 5541 8 PMID(0*) OR PMID(1*) OR PMID(2*) OR PMID(3*) OR PMID(4*) OR PMID(5*) OR 5542 PMID(6*) OR PMID(7*) OR PMID(8*) OR PMID(9*) 5543 9 7 and not 8

5544

The Care of Patients with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Society for Vascular Surgery Practice Guidelines

The SVS Document Oversight Committee is requesting your comments on the proposed SVS Clinical Practice Guidelines on “The Care of Patients with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.”

Once you have completed review of the guideline, please use the following link to provide your comments. The open comment period ends on Monday, July 31, 2017.

Click this Link to Provide Your Comments