Growth of thrombus may be a better predictor of rupture than diameter in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the relationships between diameter, surface and thrombus area in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) <5 cm.


METHODS
sixty-seven patients with AAA underwent at least 2 CT examinations. At the point of maximal diameter, surface area and thrombus area were calculated and related to rupture, or impending rupture, during follow-up.


RESULTS
the mean increase in measured diameter, surface area and thrombus area were 3.4 mm, 1.9 cm(2)and 1.7 cm(2)per year respectively. Patients with AAA >4 cm and whose thrombus area increased >1.5 cm(2)/year were more likely to rupture (6/24 vs 1/23).


CONCLUSIONS
a rapid increase of thrombus area may be a better predictor of AAA rupture than increase in maximal diameter.
Stenbaek
J
J
Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kalin
B
B
Swedenborg
J
J
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed