Aortic volume as an indicator of disease progression in patients with untreated infrarenal abdominal aneurysm

Objective: The maximal diameter of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the change in diameter over time reflect rupture risk and are used for surgical planning. However, evidence has emerged that aneurysm volume may be a better indicator of AAA remodeling. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the volume and maximal diameter of the abdominal aorta in patients with untreated infrarenal AAA. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of 100 patients with infrarenal AAA who were followed for more than 6 months. We examined 2 sets of computed tomography images for each patient, acquired >= 6 months apart. The maximal diameter and volume of the infrarenal abdominal aorta were determined by semiautomated segmentation software. Results: At baseline, mean maximal infrarenal diameter was 5.1 +/- 1.0cm and mean aortic volume was 139 +/- 72 mL. There was good correlation between the maximal diameter and aortic volume at baseline (r(2) = 0.55; P < 0.001). The mean change in maximal diameter between studies was 0.2 +/- 0.3cm and the mean volume change was 19 +/- 19 mL. However, the correlation between diameter change and volume change was modest (r(2) = 0.34; P = 0.001). Most patients (n = 64) had no measurable change in maximal diameter between studies (<= 2 mm), but the change in volume was found to vary widely (-2 to 69 mL). Conclusion: In patients with untreated infrarenal AAA, a change in aortic volume can occur in the absence of a significant change in maximal diameter. Additional work is needed to examine the relationship between change in AAA volume and outcomes in this patient group. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.