It’s worth noting, he added, that the outcomes for both vascular surgeons and interventionalists improved over the years of the study. The results are coming closer together over time, although significant differences remain.
Dr. Robert S. Rhodes said that general surgeons should be included in any further comparative effectiveness studies focused on endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
"Our data at the American Board of Surgery suggests that general surgeons who perform vascular surgery actually do so in substantial volume, so it may be that they’ve also acquired endovascular skills," said Dr. Rhodes, associate executive director for vascular surgery at the ABS.
None of the speakers reported having any financial conflicts.