Intravascular ultrasonography allows accurate assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm: an in vitro validation study

The objective of this study was to acquire insight into the interpretation of intravascular ultrasound images of the abdominal aorta and to assess to what extent this technique can provide useful parameters for the endovascular treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

This was a descriptive study.

Fifteen abdominal aortic specimens (normal, atherosclerotic, or aneurysmal) were studied. Ultrasonic images and corresponding histologic sections were compared for vessel wall characteristics, lesion morphologic characteristics, and lumen diameter. The length of the aneurysm and the length of the proximal and distal neck were measured and compared with external measurements. Tomographic images were reconstructed to a three-dimensional format.

Normal aortic wall was seen as a two- or three-layered structure corresponding with intima, media, and adventitia. A distinction could be made among fibrous lesion, calcified lesion, and thrombus and between normal and aneurysmal aorta. Correlation between the histologic specimens and intravascular ultrasonography for lumen diameter measurements was high (r = 0.93; p < 0.001). In a similar fashion, correlation between external measurements and intravascular ultrasound measurements on the length of the aneurysm and its proximal and distal neck was high (r = 0.99; p < 0.001). Three-dimensional analysis enhanced interpretation of the tomographic images by visualizing the spatial position of anatomic structures and contributed to understanding the shape and dimensions of the aneurysm.

Intravascular ultrasonography provides accurate information on the vessel wall, lesion morphologic characteristics, and quantitative parameters of the abdominal aorta. Spatial information supplied by three-dimensional analysis contributes to a more realistic interpretation of the tomographic images.