Why the study?
Does baseline aortic wall distensibility predict AAA progression and need for later repair in males with small asymptomatic AAAs?
Does baseline aortic wall distensibility predict AAA progression and need for later repair in males with small asymptomatic AAAs?
Baseline aortic wall distensibility measured by ultrasound may serve as a useful biomarker to predict progression and optimize the timing of elective repair in patients with small asymptomatic AAAs.
May aid risk stratification in small AAAs; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before clinical adoption.
BACKGROUND: This study investigates whether baseline aortic wall distensibility serves as a supplemental bio-marker for AAA progression and need for later repair. METHODS: In 1998, 61 males with a small asymptomatic AAAs had a baseline measurement of elasticity and stiffness, using an echo-tracking ultrasound system (Diamove). The cohort was followed till 2005 concerning Dmax, expansion rate, operations for AAA, hospitalisation do to cardiovascular disease and death. RESULTS: During follow-up, 49% died, and 45.9% were hospitalised do to cardiovascular disease, compared to Dmax, Ep and b no significant associations were found. Elasticity correlated moderately to annual expansion rate and Dmax. Good correlation was found between annual expansion rate and Dmax. ROC-curve analysis showed that elasticity, stiffness and Dmax all tended to predict future need for AAA-repair. CONCLUSION: Baseline aortic wall distensibility may provide an additional parameter for AAA to optimize the indication and time for elective repair.
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Hoegh et al. (2009) studied this question.
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