Key result
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an effective method for evaluating and categorizing endoleaks after EVAR without the use of radiation or nephrotoxic agents.
Why the study?
Traditional post-EVAR surveillance using 3-phase computed tomography angiography exposes patients to cumulative radiation and potentially nephrotoxic contrast agents, making safer alternatives needed.
Does contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) effectively detect and classify endoleaks in patients following EVAR compared to traditional computed tomography angiography?
Does contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) effectively detect and classify endoleaks in patients following EVAR compared to traditional computed tomography angiography?
CEUS offers a radiation-free and non-nephrotoxic alternative to CTA for the long-term surveillance of endoleaks following EVAR.
May support radiation-free EVAR surveillance; leaves open need for prospective validation versus CTA.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the standard of care for many patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Because of the delayed complications associated with EVAR, namely the development of endoleaks, yearly surveillance of the endograft and aneurysm sac is required. Surveillance has traditionally been carried out with 3-phase computed tomography angiography of the abdomen and pelvis with the use of intravenous iodinated contrast. This incurs cumulative doses of radiation over the remainder of the patient’s life and exposes these patients to repeated administrations of potentially nephrotoxic contrast agents. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has emerged as an excellent method of evaluating and categorizing endoleaks without the use of radiation or nephrotoxic agents. This educational article centers around CEUS and its use in EVAR follow-up.
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Hasan et al. (2020) conducted a review in Abdominal aortic aneurysms (post-EVAR endoleaks). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) vs. 3-phase computed tomography angiography was evaluated. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an effective method for evaluating and categorizing endoleaks after EVAR without the use of radiation or nephrotoxic agents.
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