Frailty Index (mFI-5) Predicts Resource Utilization after Nonruptured Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Introduction: The 5- factor frailty index (mFI-5) has reliably predicted outcomes after vascular surgeries. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of this index in aortic endovascular surgery ( endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR]) MATERIALS AND METHODS: The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database (NSQIP) was retrospectively analyzed for patients undergoing nonruptured EVAR between 2015 and 2019. Outcomes were assessed using bivariate analysis (Mann Whitney U test, chi-squared test, and t-test) and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: 10,450 patients were identified with a mean age of 73.59 (SD 8.93) y. 8222 (78.7%) were performed for large diameter with the remaining indications including dissection, symptomatic, and embolization/thrombosis. 30-d mortality was 1.3%. Univariate analysis showed that mFI-5≥0.6 was associated with higher rates of prolonged hospital stay (18.8% versus 5.7%, P < 0.001, reference mFI-5 = 0), readmission (12.3% versus 5.9%, P < 0.001), mortality (3.6 % versus 1.2%, P = 0.01), intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay more than 3 d (7.2% versus 2.7%, P < 0.001). Female gender higher age, indication for surgery, and mFI-5 were all associated with increased mortality. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mFI-5 remained as a significant predictor with mFI-5≥0.6 predicting a close to 3 times higher odds for 30-d mortality (odds ratio OR 2.83, P = 0.003), ICU length of stay >3 d (OR 2.48, P < 0.001), >7 d hospital stay (OR 3.94, P < 0.001), readmission (OR 2.16, P < 0.001), and pneumonia (OR 4.2, P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: The modified frailty index (mFI-5) is a good predictor for postoperative complications and hospital resource utilization after nonruptured EVAR.