The Effect of Age on Post-EVAR Outcomes

Background This study aims to investigate the relationship of increased age on post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) outcomes. Methods A total of 1,380 of 1,853 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR between 1992 and 2012 met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Five hundred of the 1,380 patients had computed tomography angiography data to characterize anatomic differences. Age <70 years and ≥70 years were compared. Results Older patients had higher Glasgow Aneurysm Scores (85.8 ± 8.2 vs. 70.9 ± 8.5, P < 0.0001), indicating higher preoperative risk in patients ≥70 years of age. Patients ≥70 years had increased tortuosity indices, angulation, and iliac calcification. Older patients required higher transfusion volumes (101.1 ± 266.8 vs. 57.6 ± 202.6 mL, P = 0.018). Overall comorbidities, blood loss, and procedure times were similar between groups. The older cohort had higher major and minor perioperative complication rates (10.7% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.007), with a trend toward more major perioperative complications (7.5% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.077). AAA-related perioperative mortality, all-cause perioperative mortality, and intraoperative complication rates were similar between the 2 cohorts. Patients <70 years were more likely to be discharged on postoperative day 1 (76.1% vs. 67.6%, P < 0.0001). Older patients were more likely to develop endoleaks (21.9% vs. 12.8%, P < 0.0001) and required more reinterventions (7.2% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.003). Freedom from AAA-related mortality was similar between the 2 groups (P = nonsignificant); however, patients <70 years had improved overall survival (P < 0.001). Conclusions Older age is associated with more complex aneurysm morphology. These features likely resulted in more endoleaks, reinterventions, and complications observed in patients ≥70 years following EVAR.