| Review question 27 | How frequently should people be monitored for postoperative complications, further aneurysm expansion and aneurysm rupture after EVAR or open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm? |
|---|---|
| Objectives | To determine appropriate intervals for monitoring of people who have undergone surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm; that is, how frequently people should be monitored to detect complications (endoleak, graft migration, graft kinking, incisional hernia, graft occlusion and aortic neck expansion), further aneurysm expansion and aneurysm rupture) |
| Type of review | Intervention |
| Language | English |
| Study design |
Systematic reviews of study designs listed below Randomised controlled trials Quasi-randomised controlled trials If insufficient evidence identified, non-randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies (n >500) |
| Status |
Published papers only (full text) No date restrictions |
| Population |
People who have undergone surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm Subgroup: age, sex, comorbidities, compliance with surveillance |
| Intervention | Varying intervals of monitoring/surveillance and defined protocols (also accounting for imaging technique and time since surgery) |
| Comparator | Each other |
| Outcomes |
AAA rupture Further AAA growth/expansion Mortality; survival Need for additional intervention, including both emergency and elective surgical intervention Compliance Quality of life Adverse effects, including incidence of cancer, renal complications (contrast-induced nephrotoxicity) Lower limb, visceral and renal ischaemia Resource use and cost |
| Other criteria for inclusion / exclusion of studies |
Exclusion: Non-English language Abstract/non-published (i only) |
| Baseline characteristics to be extracted in evidence tables |
Age Sex Size of aneurysm Comorbidities Date of surgical intervention |
| Search strategies | See Appendix B |
| Review strategies |
Appropriate NICE Methodology Checklists, depending on study designs, will be used as a guide to appraise the quality of individual studies. Data on all included studies will be extracted into evidence tables. Where statistically possible, a meta-analytic approach will be used to give an overall summary effect. All key findings from evidence will be presented in GRADE profiles and further summarised in evidence statements. |
| Key papers | None identified |
From: Postoperative surveillance after surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms
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