Computed tomography-detected abnormalities following conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how time since the operation influences vascular abnormalities following conventional infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.


METHODS
In 47 patients computed tomography was performed 1 to 12 years following the aneurysm repair. Aortic diameters at different levels were measured and other abnormalities recorded.


RESULTS
Significant correlation was found between time since operation and diameter of the suprarenal aorta (R=0.51, P<0.001) but not with aortic neck diameter (R=-0.10, P=0.48) or diameter of the prosthetic graft (R=0.07, P=0.66). However, measured diameters of graft and aortic neck showed a significant positive correlation (R=0.40, P=0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Dilatation of the suprarenal aorta has a different pattern from aortic neck dilatation. The latter showed correlation with the diameter of the prosthetic graft. This may be of interest for future design of endovascular stent-grafts.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed