Can intrasac pressure monitoring reliably predict failure of endovascular aneurysm repair?

Purpose: To determine if pressure measured at a single location within aneurysm sac thrombus accurately reflects the force applied to the aneurysm wall and the risk of rupture by examining (1) if pressure is distributed uniformly within aneurysm thrombus, (2) the pressure transmission through aneurysm thrombus, and (3) the microstructural basis for pressure transmission.

Methods: Pressure within aneurysm thrombus was measured by direct puncture through the aneurysm wall at 121 sites in 26 patients during open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Measurements were taken prior to cross clamping and compared with intrasac pressure measured at 30 sites in 6 patients without aneurysm thrombus (controls).