2D-shear wave elastography in the prediction of type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair

概要

PURPOSE: 2D-shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) uses the propagation of the shear wave and can quantify the stiffness (expressed in kilopascals, kPa) of the tissue by the propagation velocity. To evaluate the usefulness of 2D-shear wave elastography (2D- SWE) in the prediction of type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients underwent EVAR for AAA, and 2D-SWE was performed after the EVAR. Follow-up contrast-enhanced CT and ultrasonography were performed to evaluate endoleaks in all patients. The median follow-up period was 12 months (range, 3–12 months). Patients were divided into two groups, one with an endoleak (endoleak group) and another without it (control group). We characterized thrombi in AAA as intraluminal thrombus (ILT) or fresh thrombus (FT) by ultrasonography (US) examination. We compared the elasticity index (EI) of ILT and fresh thrombus between the two groups.

RESULTS: Type II endoleaks were confirmed in five of the 29 patients (endoleak group), and there were no endoleaks in the other 24 (control group). ILT was observed in 21 patients of the control group and in all patients of the endoleak group. There was a difference only in EI of ILT; the EI of ILT with mean ± standard deviation (SD) in the endoleak group (112.9 ± 25.3 kPA) was significantly higher than control group (89.1 ± 15.6 kPA) (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS: High EI of ILT may predict the occurrence of type II endoleaks after EVAR of AAA.