Aneurysm Geometry Analyzed by the Novel Three-Dimensional Tomographic Ultrasound Relates to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are increasingly screen-detected and many small aneurysms enter surveillance. Computed tomography identifies characteristics that can predict subsequent AAA growth but ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic contrast disadvantage its use in surveillance. We investigated whether duplex and 3-dimensional tomographic ultrasound identified features associated with AAA growth in patients on AAA surveillance.

Methods: Duplex and three-dimensional tomographic ultrasound imaging was performed independently by 2 vascular scientists in 128 AAA surveillance patients who all had AAA growth measured over at least 2 years. Diameter, cross-sectional area, length, volume, wall thickness/volume, and intraluminal thrombus were measured. Pulsatility using maximum systolic and minimum diastolic diameters corrected for diameter and distensibility (consisting of strain and stiffness) were also calculated.

Results: AAA growth rate correlated with AAA diameter (r 0.43), volume (r 0.46), and cross-sectional area (r 0.42) (P < 0.01). Measuring wall thickness was inaccurate, but wall volume (corrected for AAA volume) inversely related to growth rate (r -0.43, P < 0.01). On a multivariate analysis, diameter and wall volume (r 0.22, P < 0.01) improved prediction of growth rate compared with diameter alone (r 0.18, P < 0.01). Intraluminal thrombus volume, strain distensibility, and elastic distensibility were not significantly associated with AAA growth.

Conclusions: AAA growth most strongly related to AAA volume and inversely to wall volume. AAA volume and wall volume may prove useful in the prediction of AAA growth rates.