Strength of public preferences for endovascular or open aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: This study evaluated public preferences for the treatment processes for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in order to allow them to be incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods: This was a telephone survey using a trade-off method in UK resident adults (aged at least 18 years) with no previous diagnosis of a vascular condition. Results: Some 167 of 209 participants (79 center dot 9 per cent) stated that they would prefer endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), 40 (19 center dot 1 per cent) preferred open surgery and two (1 center dot 0 per cent) stated no preference. Participants preferred EVAR because of the less invasive nature of the intervention and quicker recovery. Participants preferring open surgery cited reasons such as having a single follow-up appointment, and a procedure that felt more permanent. When participants were asked tomake a sacrifice in order to have their preferred treatment, 122 (58 center dot 4 per cent) favoured EVAR, 18 (8 center dot 6 per cent) favoured open surgery and 69 (33 center dot 0 per cent) had no preference. Those preferring EVAR were willing to give up a mean of 0 center dot 135 expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to have EVAR, compared with a willingness to give up 0 center dot 033 expected QALYs among those preferring open repair. Conclusion: These results indicate a clear preference for EVAR over open surgery for aortic aneurysm.