Vascular ultrasonography for follow-up of endovascular repair of abdominal aorta aneurysms

• Published in: Jornal vascular brasileiro 2014-09, Vol.13 (3), p.168-174
• Main Authors: Moraes Filho, Domingos, Trevisan, Fernando Barbosa, Silvestre, José Manoel da Silva, Sardinha, Wander Eduardo, Ramires, Eduardo Durante, Dias, Silfayner Victor Mathias, Matsuda, Henrique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aneurisma aórtico; CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS; PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE; SURGERY; ultrassonografia; vazamento endovascular
• ISSN: 1677-5449; 1677-7301; 1677-7301
• DOI: 10.1590/jvb.2014.019

BackgroundThere is little information available on follow-up of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients treated with endovascular repair using vascular ultrasonography in Brazil or on how it compares with the results of angiotomography. Since ultrasonography is an examination that is risk-free, inexpensive and widely available, it is a very attractive method. In this study we attempted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of vascular ultrasonography for follow-up of these patients by comparing the method with angiotomography.Materials and methodsWe conducted a prospective study from June 2012 to May 2013. We examined patients followed-up at the endovascular surgery clinic run by the University Hospital of Londrina after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. All patients underwent angiotomography for follow-up and were also examined using simple abdominal X-rays and vascular ultrasonography.ResultsA total of 30 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 73 years and a mean aneurysm diameter of 6 cm. Four endoleaks were detected. Vascular ultrasonography achieved sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 96% for classification of these endoleaks, in comparison with angiotomography.ConclusionsVascular ultrasonography is an excellent primary method for evaluation and post-surgical follow-up of patients treated with endovascular repair of abdominal aorta aneurysms. However, when ultrasonography detects problems or is difficult to accomplish, it should be supplemented with a more specific investigation for diagnostic confirmation. ContextoAs informações sobre o seguimento de pacientes submetidos à correção endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal com ultrassonografia vascular no Brasil são escassas, bem como sua comparação com os resultados obtidos com a angiotomografia. Na medida em que a ultrassonografia é um exame sem riscos, de baixo custo e de grande disponibilidade, esta se torna um método bastante atraente. Na presente pesquisa, procuramos avaliar a sensibilidade e a especificidade da ultrassonografia vascular (USV) no acompanhamento desses pacientes, comparando este método com a angiotomografia.Materiais e métodosRealizamos estudo prospectivo durante o período de junho de 2012 a maio de 2013. Para tanto, examinamos pacientes acompanhados pelo Ambulatório de Cirurgia Endovascular do Hospital Universitário de Londrina pós-correção endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Todos os pacientes haviam sido submetidos à angiotomografia para a