Dilatation of the proximal neck of infrarenal aortic aneurysms after endovascular AAA repair

Objectives: to assess size changes of the proximal aortic neck after endogr aft placement. Methods: since 1994, 54 consecutive patients have undergone abdominal aorti c aneurysm (AAA) repair with the Endovascular Technologies (EVT) endograft. The study group comprised the 33 patients who had completed at least six m onths of the prospective follow-up protocol. The pre-, postoperative and fo llow-up helical computed tomography (CT) angiograms (CTAs) were processed o n a workstation. The proximal neck dimensions were measured perpendicular t o the central lumen line of the aortic neck. The cross-sectional area was m easured at the proximal attachment system and at 1 cm proximal to the renal arteries. Results: while the dimensions of suprarenal aorta did not change, a signifi cant dilatation of the proximal neck was found. The median increase was 10. 3% at 6 months and 15.5% at 12 months. No correlation could be found betwee n the amount of dilatation and pre- or postoperative neck-size, graft diame ter and amount of graft-oversizing. Conclusion: the infrarenal aortic neck demonstrates continued dilatation du ring follow-up after endograft placement.