Volumetry and biomechanical parameters detected by 3D and 2D ultrasound in patients with and without an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

The objective was to demonstrate the ability of ultrasound (US) with 3D properties to evaluate volumetry and biomechanical parameters of the aorta in patients with and without abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Thirty-one patients with normal aortas (group 1), 46 patients with AAA measuring 3.0-5.5 cm (group 2) and 31 patients with AAA ⩾ 5.5 cm (group 3) underwent a 2D/3D-US examination of the infra-renal aorta, and the images were post-processed prior to being analyzed. In the maximum diameter, the global circumferential strain and the global maximum rotation assessed by 2D speckle-tracking algorithms were compared among the three groups. The volumetry data obtained using 3D-US from 40 AAA patients were compared with the volumetry data obtained by a contemporary computed tomography (CT) scan. The median global circumferential strain was 2.0% (interquartile range (IR): 1.0-3.0), 1.0% (IR: 1.0-2.0) and 1.0% (IR: 1.0-1.75) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p < 0.001). The median global maximum rotation decreased progressively from group 1 to group 3 (1.38º (IR: 0.77-2.13), 0.80º (IR: 0.57-1.0) and 0.50º (IR: 0.31-0.75), p < 0.001). AAA volume estimations by 3D-US correlated well with CT (R 2 = 0.76). In conclusion, US with 3D properties is non-invasive and has the potential to evaluate volumetry and biomechanical characteristics of AAA.

The use of ultrasound to assess aortic biomechanics: Implications for aneurysm and dissection

“…They found that maximum circumferential strain was lower in the aneurysm group compared to controls. Furthermore, maximum global rotation was the highest in the control group and lowest in AAAs ≥5.5 cm 45 . A study by Taniguchi et al 46 showed that aortic strain rate was lower, but also had greater heterogeneity in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm than in those with normal aortas.…”

“…The group found that the ascending aortas of DPAA group with wider aortas (>45 mm) had reduced strain, reduced distensibility, and increased stiffness compared to controls. Batagini et al 45 used STE to assess maximum circumferential strain, global rotation of the aorta in patients with normal aortas, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. They found that maximum circumferential strain was lower in the aneurysm group compared to controls.…”

Biomechanical Imaging Markers as Predictors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth or Rupture: A Systematic Review

“…Recently, even ultrasonography has been used for biomechanical evaluation of AAA. 35 Lastly, since the role of WSS has not been elucidated in AAA pathogenesis, CFD should be assessed in larger cohorts and in conjunction with FEA. And because FSI uses haemodynamics in its calculation of PWS, a comparison with FEA should be made to see if this inclusion actually refines the biomechanical evaluation.…”

Multidetector Computed Tomography in Endovascular and Hybrid Operations Planning In Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

“…Ultrasound, abdominal aortic aneurysm.An transverse (a) and oblique (b) images are presented in gray-scale scanning[18].…”