Study Management Group

Chief Investigator: Mr Colin Bicknell

Co-investigators: Dr Jugdeep Dhesi, Dr Manuel Gomes, Miss Maria Nicola, Miss Anna Pouncey, Prof Janet Powell and Dr Pinar Ulug.

Clinical Leads and co-investigators: Miss Rachel Bell, Mr Robert Brightwell, Mr Patrick Chong, Prof Robert Hinchliffe and Mr Guy Martin.

Collaborators: Ms Louise Allen, Prof Ara Darzi, Mr Richard Gibbs, Prof Mo Hamady, Prof William Harrop-Griffiths and Mr Krishna Moorthy.

Project manager:  Dr Pinar Ulug

Study Co-ordinator: Miss Maria Nicola 

Study Co-ordinating Centre
Vascular Secretaries Office
Waller Cardiac Building
St Mary’s Hospital
Praed Street, London
W2 1NY
Tel: 07376460675
E-mail: starstudy@imperial.ac.uk

ShorT stay Aneurysm Repair (STAR): A 23-hour endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair pathway with evaluation of eligibility, uptake, viability, acceptability, safety and cost

IRAS Project ID: 302827
HRA/REC review in progress


Study summary

DESIGN: A prospective observational cohort study to assess the eligibility, uptake, viability, acceptability, safety and cost of a ShorT stay (23-hour) Aneurysm Repair (STAR) pathway. Outcomes will be collected up to 1 year.

AIMS: To build on previous experience and background studies to formally assess a ShorT stay Aneurysm Repair (STAR) pathway accommodating patient, organizational, community, and social needs to ensure patient safety.

POPULATION: All patients with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm in at least five sites will be assessed for inclusion into the study. This is expected to be over 200 patients in five high-volume sites. From these patients we will be able to enrol suitable patients for the STAR pathway. We expect approximately 100 patients to be enrolled from the five centres.

ELIGIBILITY: Patients with an infrarenal AAA and iliac artery aneurysm are eligible for screening for participation in the study. Patients who meet all the Inclusion Criteria and none of the Exclusion Criteria will be eligible and offered AAA repair using the STAR pathway. Those who accept admission to this pathway will be enrolled.

DURATION: 12-month enrolment and active follow up for a minimum of 6-months (with permission to collect routine clinical data for a period of 15 months from consent).

FUNDER: W. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd and Medtronic Limited


Outcome measures 

Formal assessment of the short-stay pathway will report on:

  1. Proportion of patients suitable for a short stay pathway (eligibility)
  2. Proportion of patients who will accept admission to this pathway (uptake)
  3. Proportion of patients admitted to the short-stay pathway that can be discharged at 23-hours (viability)
  4. Patients’ treatment satisfaction, quality of life (QoL) and the impact of AAA and its treatment on QoL after the short stay pathway at 30 days, 3 and 6 months.
  5. Rate of device-related and other adverse events, readmission, mortality (at 30, 90 days 6 and 12 months) of patients.
  6. Costs up to 6 months.
  7. Qualitative data will also be collected describing the experiences, worries and concerns of patients, families and GPs; the key barriers and drivers to implementation of a 23-hour pathway.
  8. Finally, a ‘tool-kit’, which may be used for implementation of a short-stay pathway in a wider group will be produced if there are a significant proportion eligible and accepting the pathway and the pathway is viable without perceived safety issues.

Study Documents

Participating NHS Trusts

Information for patients and the public