Growth of thrombus may be a better predictor of rupture than diameter in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2000 Nov;20(5):466-9. doi: 10.1053/ejvs.2000.1217.

Abstract

Objectives: to investigate the relationships between diameter, surface and thrombus area in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) <5 cm.

Methods and material: sixty-seven patients with AAA underwent at least 2 CT examinations. At the point of maximal diameter, surface area and thrombus area were calculated and related to rupture, or impending rupture, during follow-up.

Results: the mean increase in measured diameter, surface area and thrombus area were 3.4 mm, 1.9 cm(2)and 1.7 cm(2)per year respectively. Patients with AAA >4 cm and whose thrombus area increased >1.5 cm(2)/year were more likely to rupture (6/24 vs 1/23).

Conclusions: a rapid increase of thrombus area may be a better predictor of AAA rupture than increase in maximal diameter.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / pathology
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thrombosis / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed