Can endovascular repair be the first-line treatment option in abdominal aortic aneurysms during COVID-19 pandemic?

Results: The RT-PCR test result was positive in six patients with asymptomatic infection. The mean AAA diameter was 74.7±5.5 (range, 68.50 to 85.60) mm. Stent-graft implantation was successfully performed in all patients. There was no significant relationship between the mean age and examined variables (p>0.050). The mean AAA diameter was 83.95 mm in the COVID-19-positive patients and 71.50 mm in the COVID-19-negative patients, indicating a significant difference (p=0.001). No mortality, stent migration or thrombotic events were observed during the first 30 days of follow-up.

Conclusion: The operation can be delayed in patients requiring open surgical repair or in those with small AAAs. Based on our findings, the EVAR can be used as the first-line treatment option during the pandemic, as it does not require intubation and requires a low number of staff and is cost-effective with minimum necessity for intensive care unit stay and less use of healthcare resources.

Keywords : Aneurysm, COVID-19, endovascular