Three-dimensional characterization of sex differences in abdominal aortic aneurysm progression via vascular deformation mapping.

Although abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are more common in men, women are at greater risk for AAA growth/rupture. Vascular deformation mapping (VDM) utilizes deformable image registration to qualify and quantify 3D-AAA growth using computed tomography angiograms (CTA). In this study we leveraged VDM to investigate sex differences in AAA growth patterns.

Early three-dimensional growth in uncomplicated type B aortic dissection is associated with long-term outcomes.

Objective: Late adverse events (LAEs) are common among initially uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD); however, identifying those patients at highest risk of LAEs remains a significant challenge. Early false lumen (FL) growth has been suggested to increase risk, but confident determination of growth is often hampered by error in two-dimensional clinical measurements. Semi-automated three-dimensional (3D) mapping of aortic growth, such as by vascular deformation mapping (VDM), can potentially overcome this limitation using computed tomography angiograms (CTA).

Fully automated pipeline for measurement of the thoracic aorta using joint segmentation and localization neural network.

Purpose: Diagnosis and surveillance of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) involves measuring the aortic diameter at various locations along the length of the aorta, often using computed tomography angiography (CTA). Currently, measurements are performed by human raters using specialized software for three-dimensional analysis, a time-consuming process, requiring 15 to 45 min of focused effort. Thus, we aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithm for fully automated and accurate aortic measurements.

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: a risk factor for delayed function and rejection in pediatric kidney recipients? A UNOS analysis.

The impact of laparoscopic (vs. open) donor nephrectomy on early graft function and survival in pediatric kidney recipients (< or =18 years) is unknown. We studied 995 pediatric live donor txs reported to UNOS from January 2000 to June 2002, in two recipient age groups: 0-5 years (n = 212, 44% laparoscopic donors [LapD]) and 6-18 years (n = 783, 50% LapD).