Comments regarding 'Personalised predictions of endovascular aneurysm repair success rates: validating the ERA model with UK Vascular Institute data'.

摘要

This important paper externally validates the ERA Model. The model has the potential to improve the care for patients who are considered for endovascular aneurysm repair. For most readers of the journal this is a quite theoretical paper, which is often a reason to take the conclusion for granted, without anyfurtherimplementationinpersonalpractice. Is this right? When I reviewed the paper I immediately felt that I had to take good notice of the content as the successful external validation of a prediction model might have consequences for my decision making and the informed consent procedure with my patients. The ERA Model provides more extensive information than previous prediction models (e.g. GAS) as besides perioperative mortality and morbidity, it also predicts technical failures, the need for reintervention and long term survival.