Superior 3-Year Value of Open and Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with High-Volume Providers.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting literature exists regarding resource utilization for cardiovascular care when stratified by provider volume. This study investigates the differences in value of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair by high- and low-volume providers. The hypothesis of this study is that high-volume providers will provide superior value AAA repairs when compared to low-volume providers.

METHODS: Using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database and its linked death database, patients undergoing intact open and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were identified over a 10-year period. Charge data were normalized to year 2016 dollars and the data stratified by repair modality and annual surgeon volume. Univariate technique was used to compare the 2 groups over a 3-year follow-up period.

RESULTS: Nine hundred eleven surgeons performed open AAA repairs and 615 performed EVAR. For both repair modalities, and despite a patient population with more vascular risk factors, the cumulative adjusted charge for all aneurysm-related care was significantly less for high-volume providers than low-volume providers. The calculated 3-year value-patient life years per cumulative charge-was also superior for high-volume providers compared to low-volume providers. This difference in charge and value persisted after propensity score matching for race, sex, insurance status, and common vascular comorbidities including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a history of smoking.

CONCLUSIONS: High-volume surgeons performing repair of aortic aneurysms provide superior value when compared to low-volume providers. The improved value margin is driven by both lower charge and improved survival, despite an increased incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities. This study adds support for the regionalization of care for patients with aortic aneurysm.