Vascular ultrasonography for follow-up of endovascular repair of abdominal aorta aneurysms

Abstract

Background: There is little information available on follow-up of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients treated with endovascular repair using vascular ultrasonography in Brazil or on how it compares with the results of angiotomography. Since ultrasonography is an examination that is risk-free, inexpensive and widely available, it is a very attractive method. In this study we attempted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of vascular ultrasonography for follow-up of these patients by comparing the method with angiotomography. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective study from June 2012 to May 2013. We examined patients followed-up at the endovascular surgery clinic run by the University Hospital of Londrina after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. All patients underwent angiotomography for follow-up and were also examined using simple abdominal X-rays and vascular ultrasonography. Results: A total of 30 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 73 years and a mean aneurysm diameter of 6 cm. Four endoleaks were detected. Vascular ultrasonography achieved sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 96% for classification of these endoleaks, in comparison with angiotomography. Conclusions: Vascular ultrasonography is an excellent primary method for evaluation and post-surgical follow-up of patients treated with endovascular repair of abdominal aorta aneurysms. However, when ultrasonography detects problems or is difficult to accomplish, it should be supplemented with a more specific investigation for diagnostic confirmation.

Duplex ultrasound and computed tomography angiography in the follow-up of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a comparative study

“…The study conducted by França et al ( 11 ) showed that ultrasound had a sensitivity and specificity of 54.5% and 92.8%, respectively, for the detection of endoleaks, when compared with CT angiography in a sample of 50 examinations, as well as showing a statistically significant correlation for the measurement of the aneurysm sac ( R = 0.97; p < 0.001). Moraes Filho et al ( 12 ) found that ultrasound had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 96% for the detection of endoleaks and that there was a statistically significant correlation for the aneurysm sac diameter ( R = 0.91).…”

“…It should be borne in mind that obesity and inadequate bowel preparation are limiting factors for abdominal ultrasound examination, due to an inappropriate acoustic window. Other limitations include examiner-dependence and physical variations of patients ( 12 , 13 ) . Nevertheless, ultrasound is a reproducible, less expensive, more widely available method than is CT angiography and does not involve the use of iodinated contrast or radiation.…”

Pseudoaneurisma roto de artéria ileocólica: relato de caso

“…Os aneurismas de artérias viscerais (AAVs) e pseudoaneurismas de artérias viscerais (PAAVs) são raros, com incidência entre 0,01 e 0,2% 1 . Com o avanço de técnicas em exames de imagem como a angiotomografia computadorizada (angioTC) de abdômen e o ultrassom Doppler (USD) 2,3 para detecção de doenças intra-abdominais, juntamente com maior manipulação das vias biliares, a taxa de prevalência e o achado incidental dos aneurismas têm aumentado. Os AAVs são causados principalmente por hipertensão, aterosclerose, displasia e doenças do colágeno, enquanto os PAAVs estão associados a traumas, lesões iatrogênicas, inflamação ou infecções 4 .…”