Vascular surgery

Cost Analysis of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Type B Aortic Dissection: How Much Does Quality Cost? (2023)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Bashir M; Jubouri M; *Patel R; Geragotellis A; Tan SZ; Bailey DM; Mohammed I; Velayudhan B; Williams IM

Citation:
Annals of Vascular Surgery. 94 (pp 38-44), 2023. Date of Publication: August 2023.

Abstract:Introduction: Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening medical emergency that affects an estimated 3-4 people per 100,000 annually, with 40% of cases classified as type B AD (TBAD). TBAD can be further classified as being complicated (co-TBAD) or uncomplicated (un-TBAD) based on the presence or absence of certain features such as malperfusion and rupture. TBAD can be managed conservatively with optimal medical therapy (OMT), or invasively with open surgical repair (OSR) or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), depending on several factors such as type of TBAD and its clinical acuity. The cost-effectiveness, or cost-benefit profile, of these strategies must be given equal consideration. However, TBAD studies featuring cost analyses are limited within the literature. Aims: This narrative review aims to address the gap in the literature on cost effectiveness of TBAD treatments by providing an overview of cost-analyses comparing OMT with TEVAR in un-TBAD and TEVAR with OSR in co-TBAD. Another aim is to provide a market analysis of the commercially available TEVAR devices. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using several search engines including PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, Scopus and EMBASE to identify and extract relevant studies. Results: Several TEVAR devices are available commercially on the global market costing $12,000-19,495. Nevertheless, the Terumo Aortic RELAY® stent-graft seems to be the most cost-effective, yielding highly favourable clinical outcomes. Despite the higher initial cost of TEVAR, evidence in the literature strongly suggest that it is superior to OMT for un-TBAD on the long-term. In addition, TEVAR is well established in the literature as being gold-standard repair technique for co-TBAD, replacing OSR by offering a more optimal cost-benefit profile through lower costs and improved results. Conclusion: The introduction of TEVAR has revolutionised the field of aortovascular surgery by offering a highly efficacious and long-term cost effective treatment for TBAD.

Multilevel bypass grafting: Is it worth it? (2014)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Sharples A., Kay M., Sykes T., Fox A., Houghton A.

Citation:
Annals of Vascular Surgery, October 2014, vol./is. 28/7(1697-1702), 0890-5096;1615-5947 (01 Oct 2014)

Abstract:
Background Traditionally, multilevel arterial disease has been treated with an inflow procedure only but simultaneous multilevel bypass graft procedures have been attempted. However, these procedures are potentially high risk. We report our single-center experience of performing multilevel bypass grafts over the last 15 years.Methods We retrospectively identified patients undergoing simultaneous aortoiliac and infrainguinal bypasses between January 1996 and January 2011 at a single district general hospital.Results There were 32 multilevel procedures performed. Indication for surgery was acute ischemia in 10 (31.3%), critical ischemia without tissue loss in 10 (31.3%), with tissue loss in 10 (31.3%), and claudication in 2 (6.3%). In 23 (71.9%) cases inflow was restored using a direct iliofemoral or aortofemoral reconstruction. In the remaining 9 (28.1%), an extra-anatomic bypass was constructed. Two (6.3%) patients died within 30 days of surgery. Twenty-nine (90.6%) patients survived to discharge. Twenty-eight patients (87.5%) were alive 1 year after surgery. Limb salvage was 96.9%, 85.7%, and 75.9% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively. Twelve (37.5%) patients required a total of 19 further ipsilateral vascular procedures.Conclusions Our results demonstrate that multilevel bypass procedures can be performed with good long-term outcomes and acceptable mortality, in what is typically a high-risk group with extensive comorbidities. In patients with severe critical limb ischaemia and tissue loss, who have a combination of aortoiliac and infrainguinal disease, there are significant benefits to a primary multilevel grafting procedure.

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