Influence of gender on EVAR outcomes with new low-profile devices

Abstract

Women have not benefitted to the same extent as men of endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). Besides differences in hormones and the higher rate of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, there are anatomical differences between men and women influencing the outcome of endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). After the first decade of EVAR procedures, only 28% of women with an elective AAA were treated by EVAR due to their poor anatomical suitability for this technique. The anatomical challenges and their associated poorer outcomes suggest the need for advances in device design to better meet the specific female aneurysm anatomy and physiology. Most of the newer-generation endografts have been associated with lower incidences of graft occlusion compared with first-generation endografts, and might be more suitable for women. It is encouraging that EVAR has decreased long-term mortality in women and that women's survival begins to equal men's after 2 years. However, detailed, adjusted anatomical data from population-based samples are needed for better understanding of the differences in AAA anatomy and EVAR eligibility. This information will contribute to enhance the design, testing and evaluation of future stent grafts, to ensure that women will benefit from EVAR to the same extent as men.