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Aortic aneurysms: growth rates measured with CT
Y Hirose1, S Hamada, M Takamiya
1Department of Radiology, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
Growth rates for thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were determined. Thoracic aortic aneurysms, particularly those in the aortic arch, exhibit faster growth, necessitating frequent CT monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Limited data exists on the growth rates of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- Atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms are a significant clinical concern requiring accurate monitoring.
- Nonoperative management necessitates reliable methods for tracking aneurysm progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the growth rates of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- To compare the growth characteristics of aneurysms at different aortic locations.
- To inform clinical recommendations for surveillance strategies.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 171 patients with nonoperatively managed atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms.
- Sequential computed tomography (CT) scans were performed over a minimum of 6 months.
- Analysis of growth rates for 211 aneurysms (82 thoracic, 129 abdominal).
Main Results:
- The average growth rate for thoracic aortic aneurysms was 0.42 cm/year.
- The average growth rate for abdominal aortic aneurysms was 0.28 cm/year.
- Aortic arch aneurysms demonstrated a significantly faster average growth rate (0.56 cm/year), even after adjusting for initial diameter.
Conclusions:
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms, especially those in the aortic arch, grow faster than abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- Frequent CT surveillance is recommended for thoracic aortic aneurysms, with particular attention to aortic arch aneurysms.
- These findings support tailored monitoring protocols based on aneurysm location.
Abstract:
Because of a lack of information about the rates of growth of aortic aneurysms, such rates in thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were determined. One hundred seventy-one patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm managed nonoperatively were followed up for more than 6 months with sequential computed tomography (CT). There were 211 aneurysms (thoracic aortic, 82; abdominal aortic, 129). The growth rates of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were 0.42 and 0.28 cm/y, respectively. Aneurysms at the aortic arch (n = 34) grew at a faster average rate (0.56 cm/y) than aneurysms arising at other levels, even when the rate was corrected for the initial diameter. It is recommended that thoracic aortic aneurysms, especially aortic arch aneurysms, be followed frequently with CT examination of size.