The authors are grateful to Marion Campbell (Dean of Research and Professor of Health Services Research, College of Life Sciences & Medicine, University of Aberdeen), Christopher Burton (Professor of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield), Matt Waltham [Aortic Endovascular Product Manager, W L Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd], Sam Waton (Manager, NVR, UK) and Rachel Sanchez (Manager, Science and Technology Development, Cook Medical, Bjaeverskov, Denmark), for providing clinical and methodological guidance, as well as information about relevant clinical registries and databases, as members of the advisory group for this assessment; to Charles Officer and James Lister for sharing their experience as patient representatives; to Alan Karthikesalingam (National Institute for Health Research Academic Clinical Lecturer, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Vascular Institute, London, UK), for providing comments on the research protocol and useful information about current EVAR practice in the UK; to Christine Clark (Ultrasound Manager, Inpatient X-ray Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary), for providing information on the way in which ultrasound tests are conducted in clinical practice; to Craig Rore (Lead Pharmacist, Grampian Medicines Information Centre, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary), for providing the price of a CEU contrast agent; and to Lara Kemp, for her secretarial support and patience.
Contributions of authors
Miriam Brazzelli (Senior Research Fellow) oversaw and co-ordinated all aspects of this assessment.
Rodolfo Hernández (Health Economist) reviewed the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of the relevant imaging modalities used for EVAR surveillance, developed the economic model and conducted the cost-effectiveness analyses.
Pawana Sharma and Clare Robertson (Research Fellows) reviewed and summarised the current evidence on the clinical effectiveness of imaging strategies for EVAR surveillance.
Michal Shimonovich (Research Assistant) contributed to the data extraction process and to the assessment of the risk of bias of included studies with assistance from Clare Robertson and Miriam Brazzelli.
Graeme MacLennan (Senior Statistician) provided statistical support.
Cynthia Fraser (Senior Information Specialist) developed and ran the literature searches and provided information support throughout the assessment.
Russell Jamieson (Consultant Vascular Surgeon, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK) and Srinivasa Rao Vallabhaneni (Professor of Vascular Surgery, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, Regional Vascular Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK) provided expert advice on the clinical aspects of this assessment and clinical guidance.
All authors contributed to the writing of this report and approved its final version.
Data-sharing statement
Most available data are contained within the report. All queries should be submitted to the corresponding author.
Disclaimers
This report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views and opinions expressed by authors in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NHS, the NIHR, NETSCC, the HTA programme or the Department of Health and Social Care. If there are verbatim quotations included in this publication the views and opinions expressed by the interviewees are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of the authors, those of the NHS, the NIHR, NETSCC, the HTA programme or the Department of Health and Social Care.
