MR Feature Tracking-Derived Circumferential Strain of the Aortic Wall Correlates to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth Independent of Diameter

Recent studies are increasingly highlighting aortic wall stress, strain, and other mechanical descriptors as relevant factors associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. The goal of this prospective patient study was to employ MR feature tracking to measure the maximum circumferential strain in AAAs and study investigate its relationship with AAA growth. The feature tracking-measured AAA circumferential strain was lower than that of the normal aorta, indicating that the AAA wall is less compliant than the non-aneurysmal aorta. Furthermore, AAA strain was associated with the growth rate of the aneurysm, independent of AAA maximum diameter.