Intra-operative computed tomography in endovascular aneurysm repair

The study objective was to evaluate the ability of computed tomography (CT) to identify technical complications intra-operatively during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Frequency of complications seen by CT and their sequelae was compared with conventional completion angiography.

We performed a systematic review that conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We considered studies reporting on the effectiveness of intra-operative CT during EVAR.

Our literature search yielded six studies that met our criteria for inclusion. In general, these showed intra-operative CT to be superior to completion angiogram at detecting intra-operative complications during EVAR. Despite concerns regarding irradiation, the use of intra-operative CT was found to expose patients to an overall lower radiation dose, since post-operative CT angiograms were no longer required. Moreover, no adverse effect on renal function has been demonstrated as a result of the increased intra-operative contrast usage when CT is used.

The current body of evidence suggests that intra-operative CT is superior to completion angiography at detecting clinically important EVAR complications and incurs a lower total radiation dose with no added risk of contrast-induced renal impairment. Further research directly comparing the two modalities in the same cohort is required to determine sensitivity for individual complications.