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Updated: May 11, 2026
Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
Centerline is not as accurate as outer curvature length to estimate thoracic endograft length
A Kaladji1, R Spear, A Hertault
1CHU Rennes, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, F-35033 Rennes, France.
Insights
The aortic outer curvature length accurately reflects deployed thoracic endograft length, offering a more precise measurement for surgical planning than centerline length. This improves accuracy in endovascular aortic repair procedures.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate thoracic endograft planning is crucial for successful endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).
- Current planning methods may not fully account for aortic anatomy complexities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of aortic outer curvature length in planning thoracic endografts.
- To compare outer curvature length with centerline and straightline measurements.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 74 patients undergoing thoracic EVAR with Cook Medical endografts.
- Postoperative CT scans analyzed using EndoSize software to measure straightline, centerline, and outer curvature lengths.
- Tortuosity index calculated; statistical analysis using Student t-test and Pearson correlation.
Main Results:
- A significant difference was found between centerline length and endograft length (p < .0001).
- Outer curvature length (161.3 ± 29 mm) was similar to endograft length (160 ± 29 mm) (p = .792).
- Outer curvature length showed strong correlation with endograft length and diameter.
Conclusions:
- Aortic outer curvature length provides a more accurate representation of deployed thoracic endograft length.
- Outer curvature length may be superior to centerline measurements for thoracic endograft planning.
Background:
To assess the accuracy of the aortic outer curvature length for thoracic endograft planning.
Methods:
Seventy-four patients (58 men, 66.4 ± 14 years) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair between 2009 and 2011 treated with a Cook Medical endograft were enrolled in this retrospective study. Immediate postoperative CT scans were analysed using EndoSize software. Three vessel lengths were computed between two fixed landmarks placed at each end of the endograft: the straightline (axial) length, the centerline length and the outer curvature length. A tortuosity index was defined as the ratio of the centerline length/straightline length. A Student t test and a Pearson correlation coefficient were used to examine the results.
Results:
We found a significant difference between the centerline length (135.4 ± 24 mm) and that of the endograft (160 ± 29 mm) (p < .0001). This difference correlates with the tortuosity index (r = .818, p < .0001), the endograft length (r = .587, p < .0001), and the diameter of the endograft (r = .53, p < .0001). However, the outer curvature length (161.3 ± 29 mm) and the endograft length (160 ± 29 mm) were similar (p = .792).
Conclusion:
The outer curvature length more accurately reflects that of the deployed endograft and may prove more accurate than centerlines in planning thoracic endografts.
