What Randomized Controlled Trials Tell Us About Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Received 21 January 2008; received in revised form 22 January 2008; accepted 22 January 2008.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been a revolutionary development in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, EVAR has been rapidly embraced by both physicians and patients despite the paucity of Level I evidence demonstrating the long-term benefit of EVAR. The result of the two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EVAR versus open repair for the treatment of AAAs has provided some insight to the questions surrounding the utility of EVAR. The data and conclusions of these EVAR-related RCTs are briefly reviewed and discussed in this manuscript.
Department of Radiology, University of Virginia Health System, Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
Address correspondence to A.H.M.
A.H.M. receives grant support from Medtronic, W.L. Gore & Associates (Flagstaff, Arizona), and Cook (Bloomington, Indiana); serves on the speakers bureau for W.L. Gore & Associates; is the chair of the data safety monitoring board for the RELAY Trial for Bolton Medical (Sunrise, Florida); and serves on the advisory board for Medtronic.
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