According to Monique Prinssen, research resident of the DREAM trial, as of 5 November, 218 patients (Conv: 110; Endo: 108) had been enrolled in the trial, “so we are still a bit behind schedule”. However, in the last six months 73 patients have been included. If this inclusion rate remains the same for next year, the trial will include 375 patients by November 2003 (the deadline for inclusion). Since the study’s goal is to include 400 patients the DREAM team have added some Belgium hospitals, so now inclusion can be expected to finish on time.
The Dutch Randomised Endovascular Aneurysm Management (DREAM) trial is a randomised multicentre study of elective treatment of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). In this study, the cost-effectiveness of endovascular AAA repair is compared with that of conventional, transabdominal surgery, in patients that are considered suitable for both types of treatment, similar to the EVAR 1 trial in the UK. The primary endpoint is combined operative mortality and morbidity. Secondary endpoints and additional assessments include quality of life, length of hospital stay, and costs.
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