| 1. |
- Ederle, Joerg, et al.
(författare)
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Carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (International Carotid Stenting Study): an interim analysis of a randomised controlled trial
- 2010
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Ingår i: The Lancet. - 1474-547X. ; 375:9719, s. 985-997
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Stents are an alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis, but previous trials have not established equivalent safety and efficacy. We compared the safety of carotid artery stenting with that of carotid endarterectomy. Methods The International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS) is a multicentre, international, randomised controlled trial with blinded adjudication of outcomes. Patients with recently symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy. Randomisation was by telephone call or fax to a central computerised service and was stratified by centre with minimisation for sex, age, contralateral occlusion, and side of the randomised artery. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. Patients were followed up by independent clinicians not directly involved in delivering the randomised treatment. The primary outcome measure of the trial is the 3-year rate of fatal or disabling stroke in any territory, which has not been analysed yet. The main outcome measure for the interim safety analysis was the 120-day rate of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction. Analysis was by intention to treat (ITT). This study is registered, number ISRCTN25337470. Findings The trial enrolled 1713 patients (stenting group, n=855; endarterectomy group, n=858). Two patients in the stenting group and one in the endarterectomy group withdrew immediately after randomisation, and were not included in the ITT analysis. Between randomisation and 120 days, there were 34 (Kaplan-Meier estimate 4.0%) events of disabling stroke or death in the stenting group compared with 27 (3.2%) events in the endarterectomy group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% CI 0.77-2.11). The incidence of stroke, death, or procedural myocardial infarction was 8.5% in the stenting group compared with 5.2% in the endarterectomy group (72 vs 44 events; HR 1.69, 1.16-2.45, p=0.006), Risks of any stroke (65 vs 35 events; HR 1.92, 1.27-2.89) and all-cause death (19 vs seven events; HR 2.76, 1.16-6.56) were higher in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group. Three procedural myocardial infarctions were recorded in the stenting group, all of which were fatal, compared with four, all non-fatal, in the endarterectomy group. There was one event of cranial nerve palsy in the stenting group compared with 45 in the endarterectomy group. There were also fewer haematomas of any severity in the stenting group than in the endarterectomy group (31 vs 50 events; p=0.0197). Interpretation Completion of long-term follow-up is needed to establish the efficacy of carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy. In the meantime, carotid endarterectomy should remain the treatment of choice for patients suitable for surgery.
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| 2. |
- Beck, AW, et al.
(författare)
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Variations in abdominal aortic aneurysm care : a report from the International consortium of vascular registries
- 2016
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Ingår i: Circulation. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This project by the ICVR (International Consortium of Vascular Registries), a collaboration of 11 vascular surgical quality registries, was designed to evaluate international variation in the contemporary management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with relation to recommended treatment guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery and the European Society for Vascular Surgery.Methods: Registry data for open and endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) during 2010 to 2013 were collected from 11 countries. Variations in patient selection and treatment were compared across countries and across centers within countries.Results: Among 51 153 patients, 86% were treated for intact AAA (iAAA) and 14% for ruptured AAA. Women constituted 18% of the entire cohort (range, 12% in Switzerland–21% in the United States; P<0.01). Intact AAAs were repaired at diameters smaller than recommended by guidelines in 31% of men (<5.5 cm; range, 6% in Iceland–41% in Germany; P<0.01) and 12% of women with iAAA (<5 cm; range, 0% in Iceland–16% in the United States; P<0.01). Overall, use of EVAR for iAAA varied from 28% in Hungary to 79% in the United States (P<0.01) and for ruptured AAA from 5% in Denmark to 52% in the United States (P<0.01). In addition to the between-country variations, significant variations were present between centers in each country in terms of EVAR use and rate of small AAA repair. Countries that more frequently treated small AAAs tended to use EVAR more frequently (trend: correlation coefficient, 0.51; P=0.14). Octogenarians made up 23% of all patients, ranging from 12% in Hungary to 29% in Australia (P<0.01). In countries with a fee-for-service reimbursement system (Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States), the proportions of small AAA (33%) and octogenarians undergoing iAAA repair (25%) were higher compared with countries with a population-based reimbursement model (small AAA repair, 16%; octogenarians, 18%; P<0.01). In general, center-level variation within countries in the management of AAA was as important as variation between countries.Conclusions: Despite homogeneous guidelines from professional societies, significant variation exists in the management of AAA, most notably for iAAA diameter at repair, use of EVAR, and the treatment of elderly patients. ICVR provides an opportunity to study treatment variation across countries and to encourage optimal practice by sharing these results.
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| 3. |
- Behrendt, C. A., et al.
(författare)
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International Variations in Amputation Practice: A VASCUNET Report
- 2018
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 56:3, s. 391-399
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To study international differences in incidence and practice patterns as well as time trends in lower limb amputations related to peripheral arterial disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Methods: Data on lower limb amputations during 2010-2014 were collected from population based administrative data from countries in Europe and Australasia participating in the VASCUNET collaboration. Amputation rates, time trends, in hospital or 30 day mortality and reimbursement systems were analysed. Results: Data from 12 countries covering 259 million inhabitants in 2014 were included. Individuals aged >= 65 years ranged from 12.9% (Slovakia) to 20.7% (Germany) and diabetes prevalence among amputees from 25.7% (Finland) to 74.3% (Slovakia). The mean incidence of major amputation varied between 7.2/100,000 (New Zealand) and 41.4/100,000 (Hungary), with an overall declining time trend with the exception of Slovakia, while minor amputations increased over time. The older age group (>= 65 years) was up to 4.9 times more likely to be amputated compared with those younger than 65 years. Reported mortality rates were lowest in Finland (6.3%) and highest in Hungary (20.3%). Countries with a fee for service reimbursement system had a lower incidence of major amputation compared with countries with a population based reimbursement system (14.3/100,000 versus 18.4/100,000, respectively, p < .001). Conclusions: This international audit showed large geographical differences in major amputation rates, by a factor of almost six, and an overall declining time trend during the 4 year observation of this study. Diabetes prevalence, age distribution, and mortality rates were also found to vary between countries. Despite limitations attributable to registry data, these findings are important, and warrant further research on how to improve limb salvage in different demographic settings. (C) 2018 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Björck, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Editor's Choice : Contemporary Treatment of Popliteal Artery Aneurysm in Eight Countries: A Report from the Vascunet Collaboration of Registries
- 2014
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 47:2, s. 164-171
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES:To study contemporary popliteal artery aneurysm (PA) repair.METHODS:Vascunet is a collaboration of population-based registries in 10 countries: eight had data on PA repair (Australia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland).RESULTS:From January 2009 until June 2012, 1,471 PA repairs were registered. There were 9.59 operations per million person years, varying from 3.4 in Hungary to 17.6 in Sweden. Median age was 70 years, ranging from 66 years in Switzerland and Iceland to 74 years in Australia and New Zealand; 95.6% were men and 44% were active smokers.Elective surgery dominated, comprising 72% of all cases, but only 26.2% in Hungary and 39.7% in Finland, (p < .0001). The proportion of endovascular PA repair was 22.2%, varying from 34.7% in Australia, to zero in Switzerland, Finland, and Iceland (p < .0001). Endovascular repair was performed in 12.2% of patients with acute thrombosis and 24.1% of elective cases (p < .0001). A vein graft was used in 87.2% of open repairs, a synthetic or composite graft in 12.7%.Follow-up was until discharge or 30 days. Amputation rate was 2.0% overall: 6.5% after acute thrombosis, 1.0% after endovascular, 1.8% after open repair, and 26.3% after hybrid repair (p < .0001). Mortality was 0.7% overall: 0.1% after elective repair, 1.6% after acute thrombosis, and 11.1% after rupture.CONCLUSIONS:Great variability between countries in incidence of operations, indications for surgery, and choice of surgical technique was found, possibly a result of surgical tradition rather than differences in case mix. Comparative studies with longer follow-up data are warranted.
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| 5. |
- Laine, M, et al.
(författare)
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Few Internal Iliac artery Aneurysms Rupture under 4 cm
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1018-1172 .- 1423-0135 .- 0741-5214. ; 65:1, s. 76-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveThis study investigated the diameter of internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysms (IIAAs) at the time of rupture to evaluate whether the current threshold diameter for elective repair of 3 cm is reasonable. The prevalence of concomitant aneurysms and results of surgical treatment were also investigated.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of patients with ruptured IIAA from seven countries. The patients were collected from vascular registries and patient records of 28 vascular centers. Computed tomography images taken at the time of rupture were analyzed, and maximal diameters of the ruptured IIA and other aortoiliac arteries were measured. Data on the type of surgical treatment, mortality at 30 days, and follow-up were collected.ResultsSixty-three patients (55 men and 8 women) were identified, operated on from 2002 to 2015. The patients were a mean age of 76.6 years (standard deviation, 9.0; range 48-93 years). A concomitant common iliac artery aneurysm was present in 65.0%, 41.7% had a concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm, and 36.7% had both. IIAA was isolated in 30.0%. The mean maximal diameter of the ruptured artery was 68.4 mm (standard deviation, 20.5 mm; median, 67.0 mm; range, 25-116 mm). One rupture occurred at <3 cm and four at <4 cm (6.3% of all ruptures). All patients were treated, 73.0% by open repair and 27.0% by endovascular repair. The 30-day mortality was 12.7%. Median follow-up was 18.3 months (interquartile range, 2.0-48.3 months). The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimate for survival was 74.5% (standard error, 5.7%).ConclusionsIIAA is an uncommon condition and mostly coexists with other aortoiliac aneurysms. Follow-up until a diameter of 4 cm seems justified, at least in elderly men, although lack of surveillance data precludes firm conclusions. The mortality was low compared with previously published figures and lower than mortality in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the most common and studied aneurysm. Aneurysms of the iliac arteries are found considerably less often, and epidemiologic data on these do not exist. In many cases iliac artery aneurysms coexist with aortic aneurysms: ∼10% to 20% of patients with AAA also have a concomitant aneurysm in the iliac arteries.1 The artery most often affected is the common iliac artery (CIA), followed by the internal iliac artery (IIA), also called the hypogastric artery. In the case of isolated aneurysms in the iliac arteries, without involvement of the aorta, the most common location is the IIA.2 Aneurysms of the external iliac artery are extremely rare, possibly because these arteries originate later in development from a different cell population than the distal aorta and the CIA and IIA. Studies on IIA aneurysms (IIAAs) are scarce owing to the rarity of the condition. The existing literature consists primarily of case reports and small patient series. No prospective studies on IAAs exist.According to the literature, IAAs have a high rupture and mortality rate even in elective cases, possibly because of their deep location in the pelvis.3 The etiology and risk factors of IAA seem to be the same as AAA.4 Iliac aneurysms are mostly degenerative but can also be mycotic or caused by genetic disorders such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Traumatic aneurysms in the iliac arteries have also been described; for example, caused by iatrogenic trauma from hip, lumbar, or gynecologic operations. A mainly historical subpopulation of young women with IIAA caused by trauma from pregnancy and delivery has been described.5 and 6IAAs cause symptoms more often than AAA because of compression of pelvic structures such as ureters, bladder, veins, or lumbar nerves. Wilhelm et al7 reported that 53% of published isolated IIAA cases were symptomatic, not including the ruptured ones (31%). The high proportion of symptomatic patients in these older reports may partly be explained, however, by the fact that most of these cases were from time before widespread use of modern imaging. IIAA are not easily discovered with clinical examination because of their location8 but are detected increasingly often as a result of imaging and screening programs.Because the studies on IIAAs are scarce, the natural history is virtually unknown. A widely used threshold for elective repair is 3 cm, originally suggested by McCready et al9 because their series did not include any ruptures under that diameter. However, only seven ruptures were included in that report. The reference list of this article illustrates that most of the papers on this subject were published when open repair was the only treatment option. Nowadays endovascular treatment is the first option in many centers.10The aim of this study was to investigate at what diameter IIAAs tend to rupture and whether the current operative threshold of 3 cm is rational. Secondary aims were to assess the prevalence of concomitant aortoiliac aneurysms, treatment patterns, and the results of treatment.
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| 6. |
- Lees, T, et al.
(författare)
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International Variations in Infrainguinal Bypass Surgery : A VASCUNET Report
- 2012
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 44:2, s. 185-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES:To compare practice in lower limb bypass surgery in nine countries.DESIGN:A prospective study amalgamating and analysing data from national and regional vascular registries.METHODS:A table of data fields and definitions was agreed by all member countries of the Vascunet Collaboration. Data from January 2005 to December 2009 was submitted to a central database.RESULTS:32,084 cases of infrainguinal bypass (IIB) in nine countries were analysed. Procedures per 100,000 population varied between 2.3 in the UK and 24.6 in Finland. The proportion of women varied from 25% to 43.5%. The median age for all countries was 70 for men and 76 for women. Hungary treated the youngest patients. IIB was performed for claudication for between 15.7% and 40.8% of all procedures. Vein grafts were used in patients operated on for claudication (52.9%), for rest pain (66.7%) and tissue loss (74.1%). Italy had the highest use of synthetic grafts. Among claudicants 45% of bypasses were performed to the below knee popliteal artery or more distally. Graft patency at 30 days varied between 86% and 99%.CONCLUSIONS: Significant variations in practice between countries were demonstrated. These results should be interpreted alongside the known limitations of such registry data with respect to quality and completeness of the data. Variation in data completeness and data validation between countries needs to be improved for useful international comparison of outcomes.
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| 7. |
- Mani, Kevin, et al.
(författare)
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Regional Differences in Case Mix and Peri-operative Outcome After Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in the Vascunet Database
- 2015
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 49:6, s. 646-652
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective/background: National differences exist in the outcome of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The role of case mix variation was assessed based on an international vascular registry collaboration. Methods: All elective AAA repairs with aneurysm size data in the Vascunet database in the period 2005-09 were included. AAA size and pen-operative outcome (crude and age adjusted mortality) were analysed overall and in risk cohorts, as well as per country. Glasgow Aneurysm Score (GAS) was calculated as risk score, and patients were stratified in three equal sized risk cohorts based on GAS. Predictors of pen-operative mortality were analysed with multiple regression. Missing data were handled with multiple imputation. Results: Patients from Australia, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Sweden and the UK (n = 5,895) were analysed; mean age was 72.7 years and 54% had endovascular repair (EVAR). There were significant variations in GAS (lowest = Finland [75.7], highest = UK [79.4], p for comparison of all regions < .001), proportion of AAA < 5.5 cm (lowest = UK [6.4%], highest = Hungary [29.0%]; p < .001), proportion undergoing EVAR (lowest = Finland [10.1%], highest = Australia [58.9%]; p < .001), crude mortality (lowest = Norway [2.0%], highest = Finland [5.0%]; p = .006), and age adjusted mortality (lowest = Norway [2.5%], highest = Finland [6.0%]; p = .048). Both aneurysm size and pen-operative mortality were highest among patients with a GAS >82. Of those with a GAS >82, 8.4% of men and 20.8% of women had an AAA <5.5 cm. Conclusion: Important regional differences exist in case selection for elective AAA repair, including variations in AAA size and patient risk profile. These differences partly explain the variations in pen-operative mortality. Further audit is warranted to assess the underlying reasons for the regional variation in case-mix.
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| 8. |
- Mani, Kevin, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in nine countries 2005-2009 : a vascunet report
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 42:5, s. 598-607
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To study contemporary treatment and outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in nine countries. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on primary AAA repairs 2005-2009 were amalgamated from national and regional vascular registries in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Primary outcome was in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess case-mix. RESULTS: 31,427 intact AAA repairs were identified, mean age 72.6 years (95% CI 72.5-72.7). The rate of octogenarians and use of endovascular repair (EVAR) increased over time (p < 0.001). EVAR varied between countries from 14.7% (Finland) to 56.0% (Australia). Overall perioperative mortality after intact AAA repair was 2.8% (2.6-3.0) and was stable over time. The perioperative mortality rate varied from 1.6% (1.3-1.8) in Italy to 4.1% (2.4-7.0) in Finland. Increasing age, open repair and presence of comorbidities were associated with outcome. 7040 ruptured AAA repairs were identified, mean age 73.8 (73.6-74.0). The overall perioperative mortality was 31.6% (30.6-32.8), and decreased over time (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of AAA repair in octogenarians as well as EVAR increased over time. Perioperative outcome after intact AAA repair was stable over time, but improved after ruptured repair. Geographical differences in treatment of AAA remain.
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| 9. |
- Menyhei, G., et al.
(författare)
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Outcome Following Carotid Endarterectomy : Lessons Learned From a Large International Vascular Registry
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 41:6, s. 735-740
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess if technical and patient-related factors are related to outcome after carotid surgery. Design: Vascunet is a collaboration of national and regional registries with 10 contributing countries. Patients and methods: Data from 48 035 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) performed in 383 centres, during 2003-2007, were merged into a common database. Results: CEA was performed without patch (34%), with patch (40%) or with eversion (26%) in 74% for symptomatic and in 26% for asymptomatic disease. Overall (in-hospital and 30-day) mortality was 0.45%. Type of CEA or anaesthesia did not affect mortality, nor did contralateral occlusion. Mortality was higher in patients above the age of 75 years, for both genders (p < 0.05). The overall (in-hospital) stroke rate was 1.9%, the method of anaesthesia did not affect stroke rate. It was higher in patients with contratateral occlusion (4.6% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.002). Standard CEA without patch had a higher stroke rate than when a patch was used (2.3 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.015). Female patients >75 years had a higher stroke rate than younger women (2.0% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.078); this difference was not observed in men. Conclusions: Although there are limitations with registry data, the large number of cases involved provides useful information on outcomes, supplementing data from the randomised clinical trials (RCTs).
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Venermo, M., et al.
(författare)
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Editor's Choice — Carotid Stenosis Treatment : Variation in International Practice Patterns
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 53:4, s. 511-519
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim was to determine current practice for the treatment of carotid stenosis among 12 countries participating in the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR).Methods: Data from the United States Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) and the Vascunet registry collaboration (including 10 registries in Europe and Australasia) were used. Variation in treatment modality of asymptomatic versus symptomatic patients was analysed between countries and among centres within each country.Results: Among 58,607 procedures, octogenarians represented 18% of all patients, ranging from 8% (Hungary) to 22% (New Zealand and Australia). Women represented 36%, ranging from 29% (Switzerland) to 40% (USA). The proportion of carotid artery stenting (CAS) among asymptomatic patients ranged from 0% (Finland) to 26% (Sweden) and among symptomatic patients from 0% (Denmark) to 19% (USA). Variation among centres within countries for CAS was highest in the United States and Australia (from 0% to 80%). The overall proportion of asymptomatic patients was 48%, but varied from 0% (Denmark) to 73% (Italy). There was also substantial centre level variation within each country in the proportion of asymptomatic patients, most pronounced in Australia (0-72%), Hungary (5-55%), and the United States (0-100%). Countries with fee for service reimbursement had higher rates of treatment in asymptomatic patients than countries with population based reimbursement (OR 5.8, 95% CI 4.4-7.7).Conclusions: Despite evidence about treatment options for carotid artery disease, the proportion of asymptomatic patients, treatment modality, and the proportion of women and octogenarians vary considerably among and within countries. There was a significant association of treating more asymptomatic patients in countries with fee for service reimbursement. The findings reflect the inconsistency of the existing guidelines and a need for cooperation among guideline committees all over the world.
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| 12. |
- Vikatmaa, P, et al.
(författare)
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Variation in Clinical Practice in Carotid Surgery in Nine Countries 2005-2010. Lessons from VASCUNET and Recommendations for the Future of National Clinical Audit
- 2012
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Ingår i: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-5884 .- 1532-2165. ; 44:1, s. 11-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES:The aim of the study was to analyse variation in carotid surgical practice, results and effectiveness in nine countries.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A total of 48,185 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) and 4602 carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedures were included in the comparison. A theoretical effectiveness of CEA provision for each country was estimated.RESULTS:92.6% of the CEAs were performed according to the inclusion criteria based on the current European recommendations and had a theoretical benefit for the patient. The indication for surgery was symptomatic stenosis in 60.1% and this proportion varied between 31.4% in Italy and 100% in Denmark. The overall combined stroke and death rate in symptomatic patients was 2.3%. This varied between rates of 0.9% in Italy and 3.8% in Norway. The overall combined stroke and death rate in asymptomatic patients was 0.9%. It was lowest in Italy at 0.5%, and highest in Sweden at 2.7%. We estimated that the stroke prevention rate per 1000 CEAs varied from 72.9 in Italy to 130.8 in Denmark.CONCLUSIONS:There is significant variation in clinical practice across the participating countries. The theoretical stroke prevention potential of CEA seems to vary between participating countries due to differences in the inclusion criteria.
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