Abdominal aortic aneurysms referral pattern for endo vascular program

Abstract EN

Objective: To show the referral pattern of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) to a single centre since the introduction of an endovascular repair (EVR) program, with the reasons for referral and rejection.

Design: A retrospective case note review.

Materials: All elective referrals of patients with AAA to a single centre over a three year period.

Method: Review of referral letters for source and reason for referral.

Analysis of subsequent outcome of those patients referred for endovascular repair (EVR).

Results: There has been an increase in the proportion of patients referred from outside the local area.

Most of these ref errals were from hospital consultants with an interest in vascular surgery.

Of the 47 patients referred to this centre from outside the local area who were deemed unsuitable for endovascular repair; 3 have been lost to follow up.

Of the remainder, H have undergone elective open repair in the referring hospital with three deaths, and 33 patients have not undergone any surgery with only 3 of these dying during the follow up period.

Conculsions: The latter group of patients provides an important group to follow up with respect to the natural history of abdominal aortic aneurysms.