Aortic diameter is an insensitive measurement of early aneurysm expansion after endografting

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity of various methods of diameter measurement to detect abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size change following endovascular grafting. Methods: Sixty-eight patients (59 men; mean age 68 years, range 47-84) with 3-dimensional reconstruction of 196 computed tomography (CT) studies (68 preoperative, 128 follow-up) were studied. Implanted devices included 50 bifurcated and 18 straight stent-grafts. All diameter measurements were obtained from reformatted CT slices perpendicular to the center of blood flow. Three diameter measurements were made for each study: (1) transverse (TR), (2) anteroposterior (AP), and (3) maximum diameter in any orientation (Dmax). Volume measurements were calculated from the lowest main renal artery to the aortic bifurcation. Changes in diameter and volume were determined by subtracting follow-up measurements from preop measurements. Diameter and volume changes >5 mm and 10%, respectively, were considered significant. Results: AAA volume significantly increased in 20 (15%) studies, decreased in 84 (66%), and remained unchanged in 24 (19%). Agreement between methods of diameter measurement (TR, AP, Dmax) and volume change were 35%, 15%, and 25% for volume increase >10%, respectively, and 70%, 88%, and 74%, respectively, for volume decrease >10%. The orientation of maximum diameter varied in individual serial exams in 19 (28%) patients. Three of 12 patients with a study showing volume increase failed to demonstrate endoleak. Conclusions: Diameter measurements were not sensitive in detecting enlarging AAA after endografting. Volume measurement determined by 3D reconstruction is the preferred method for early diagnosis of patients with enlarging AAA that may indicate increased risk of rupture after aortic endografting.