The immediate management of the patient with rupture: open versus endovascular repair (IMPROVE) randomised controlled trial for abdominal aortic aneurysm: clinical and health economic evaluation

Background: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is a common vascular emergency. The mortality from emergency endovascular repair may be much lower than the 40-50% reported for open surgery. Objectives: To assess whether a strategy of endovascular repair versus open repair reduces 30-day and mid-term mortality (costs and cost-effectiveness) for patients with suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Design: Randomised controlled trial, with computer-generated telephone randomisation of patients in a 1:1 ratio, using variable block size, stratified by centre, without blinding