6 Conclusions

6 Conclusions

6.1 The Committee concluded that use of the E‑vita open plus would be likely to provide benefits compared with current practice for a small group of people with disease of the ascending aorta, aortic arch and the proximal descending aorta. Benefits would be conferred by eliminating the need for a second procedure and the associated risk of serious complications. Patients would need to be selected carefully based on the extent of their thoracic aortic disease.

6.2 The Committee recognised that some people for whom treatment with the E‑vita open plus would be suitable would have progressive aortic disease needing reintervention in the future, regardless of the method of repair used initially. This would be significantly more likely in people with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan's syndrome than in those with atherosclerotic conditions.

6.3 The Committee concluded that using the E‑vita open plus in the NHS was likely to save money compared with current standard practice in the longer term, from about 2 years after the intervention.

Sir Andrew Dillon
Chief Executive
December 2013

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)