Enhanced Post-Aortic Repair Surveillance Shows Positive Outcomes: Insights from Michigan

The Michigan Vascular Partnership rapidly and sustainably increased post-EVAR imaging adherence and reduced long-term risks after aortic repair, directly linking program-level surveillance to safer outcomes.

Imaging adherence rose from 28% in 2017 to nearly 80% by 2023 within a statewide collaborative quality program that collected registry-based follow-up across multiple hospitals over six years. Using a common registry and standardized definitions allowed consistent, comparable measurement across sites.

The program closed follow-up gaps through cross-hospital collaboration and coordinated care, pairing standardized surveillance protocols with registry-driven workflows and outreach. Core operational elements were centralized tracking and care coordinator roles, automated registry-driven recalls, standardized imaging timelines, performance dashboards, and direct coordination between surgical teams and imaging services—components that can be replicated in other networks.

Higher follow-up imaging adherence correlated with lower rates of late rupture, fewer reinterventions, and reduced conversions to open repair compared with historical baseline experience. The pattern is consistent with earlier detection and timely intervention, and the magnitude of benefit was clinically meaningful and measurable.

Key Takeaways:

• Improved imaging adherence linked to lower late rupture and reintervention rates.
• Registry-driven recalls and care coordination are essential operational components.
• Statewide collaborative measurement produced reliable, scalable improvements.