Relationship between abdominal aortic aneurysm wall compliance and clinical outcome: a preliminary analysis

Aortic compliance, as measured by the pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (B), may allow a more precise estimate of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk than size alone.

To determine the relationships between AAA compliance, size, growth, and clinical outcome.

One-hundred and twelve patients with initially non-operated AAA (86 men, 26 women, mean age 73 years), recruited from five centres, underwent baseline compliance measurements and were then followed for a median of 7 (range 2-18) months; 85 patients underwent repeated measurements (median 3, range 2-5) 3-6-monthly over a median of 12 (range 3-18 months).

Seven patients have ruptured and 16 have undergone repair of non-ruptured AAA. AAA that ruptured had significantly lower Ep and B (more compliant). In AAA that ruptured or required repair there was an inverse relationship between diameter and Ep and B. In those undergoing repeated measurements AAA expansion was only associated with a significant increase in Ep and B in non-operated patients.

Baseline AAA compliance was significantly related to rupture and the future requirement for operative repair. Failure of compliance to increase with size may be a marker for rapid growth, developmental symptoms and rupture.