A study protocol for evaluating aortic stiffness modifications in patients treated with endovascular aortic repair

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Vascular Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Aortic stiffness (AoS) is a key cardiovascular disease risk factor.
• Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR) may alter AoS.
• Understanding AoS changes post-intervention is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in aortic stiffness (AoS) after EVAR and TEVAR.
• To evaluate the impact of endovascular aortic repair on arterial stiffness.
• To inform graft design and improve vascular hemodynamics.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of patients undergoing EVAR or TEVAR over three years.
• Non-invasive measurement of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) pre- and post-procedure.
• Collection of perioperative, clinical, morphological, and echocardiographic data.

Main Results:

• Analysis focused on changes in cf-PWV as an indicator of AoS.
• Inclusion of supplementary data for comprehensive analysis.
• Fifty EVAR and 50 TEVAR patients to be enrolled.

Conclusions:

• The study will elucidate AoS modifications following endovascular aortic repair.
• Findings may guide development of improved endovascular grafts with better mechanical compatibility.
• Understanding AoS changes is vital for predicting and enhancing long-term cardiovascular health.