title: Duplex ultrasound and computed tomography angiography in the follow-up of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare duplex ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) angiography in terms of their performance in detecting endoleaks, as well as in determining the diameter of the aneurysm sac, in the postoperative follow-up of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study involving 30 patients who had undergone endovascular repair of infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysms. Duplex ultrasound and CT angiography were performed simultaneously by independent radiologists. Measurements of the aneurysm sac diameter were assessed, and the presence or absence of endoleaks was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average diameter of the aneurysm sac, as determined by duplex ultrasound and CT angiography was 6.09 ± 1.95 and 6.27 ± 2.16 cm, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showing a statistically significant correlation (R= 0.88;p< 0.01). Comparing the duplex ultrasound and CT angiography results regarding the detection of endoleaks, we found that the former had a negative predictive value of 92.59% and a specificity of 96.15%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that there is little variation between the two methods evaluated, and that the choice between the two would have no significant effect on clinical management. Duplex ultrasound could replace CT angiography in the postoperative follow-up of endovascular aneurysm repair of the infrarenal aorta, because it is a low-cost procedure without the potential clinical complications related to the use of iodinated contrast and exposure to radiation.
authors: Vascular Surgeon, Private practice/consultancy, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Alex Aparecido
authors: AA
authors: Cantador
authors: Graduate Student in the Department of Vascular Diseases, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Daniel Emílio Dalledone
authors: DE
authors: Siqueira
authors: Vascular Surgeon, Private practice/consultancy, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Octavio Barcellos
authors: OB
authors: Jacobsen
authors: PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Jamal
authors: J
authors: Baracat
authors: PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Ines Minniti Rodrigues
authors: IM
authors: Pereira
authors: PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Vascular Diseases, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fábio Hüsemann
authors: FH
authors: Menezes
authors: PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Vascular Diseases, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Ana Terezinha
authors: AT
authors: Guillaumon
keywords: Aneurysm; Angiography/methods; Aorta, abdominal; Endovascular procedures; Ultrasonography