The Particulars: Data suggest that women have been under-represented in studies that set guidelines for managing aortic aneurysms. Some studies have observed worse outcomes in women following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, the relationship between gender and outcomes following EVAR is not well understood.
Data Breakdown: Postoperative variables by gender were analyzed for nearly 1,400 patients who underwent EVAR between 1992 and 2012 for a study. Women had more arterial reconstructions, perioperative complications, and in-hospital days than men. Perioperative mortality, aneurysm-related deaths, and overall survival were equivalent between genders during an average of 30 months follow-up. Although women were more likely to develop endoleaks, no difference was observed between genders in rates of arterial re-interventions.
Take Home Pearls: Among patients who undergo EVAR, women appear to have more perioperative complications, adjunctive arterial procedures, and endoleaks. However, these differences do not appear to affect long-term re-interventions or survival.
