Key Points
- To determine the level of agreement among practicing vascular surgeons regarding the rupture risk of large abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- Mailed survey sent to all United States-based individual members of the Society for Vascular Surgery (Manchester, Mass).
- Survey queried surgeons' estimated 1-year rupture likelihood for 6.5-cm and 7.5-cm abdominal aortic aneurysms (response rate: 66%, N=257 practicing vascular surgeons).
- Median estimated 1-year risk of rupture was 20% for 6.5-cm aneurysms and 30% for 7.5-cm aneurysms.
- Nearly one third of respondents estimated a ≥50% 1-year rupture risk for 6.5-cm aneurysms, and one third estimated a ≥50% risk for 7.5-cm aneurysms.
- Surgeons' estimates spanned a wide range and were substantially higher than estimates derived from published literature.
Structured PICO
PPopulation257 practicing vascular surgeons in the United States (members of the Society for Vascular Surgery)
IInterventionSurvey assessing estimates of the likelihood of rupture of large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)
OOutcomeEstimates of the 1-year risk of rupture for 6.5-cm and 7.5-cm AAAs
There is profound disagreement among vascular surgeons regarding the rupture risk of large AAAs, highlighting a lack of consensus and need for better data.