Endovascular aneurysm repair is associated with less malnutrition than open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract

Background Patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair have high rates of postoperative malnutrition. We examined whether endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is associated with reduced postoperative malnutrition compared with open AAA repair. Methods The records of patients undergoing AAA repair in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System were reviewed. Primary outcomes were 30-day morbidity, lengths of hospitalization and intensive care unit stay, duration of intubation, and nutritional risk index scores. Results Sixty-two patients were included (open repair, 37; EVAR, 25). Nutritional parameters were comparable between groups before surgery. Patients treated with EVAR had improved postoperative nutritional profiles as determined by albumin level (3.7 ± .08 vs 3.2 ± .12; P = .003), and nutritional risk index (97.9 ± 1.3 vs 88.9 ± 1.8; P = .0006), compared with patients treated with open repair. Conclusions Patients undergoing EVAR developed significantly less postoperative malnutrition compared with those having open repair. EVAR may be a strategy to avoid malnutrition and improve outcomes in patients at risk for malnutrition after undergoing AAA repair.