Surveillance After Elective EVAR

Abstract With the introduction into clinical practice and increasingly frequent application of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR), along with the well-known benefits of minimally invasive interventions, controversies arise associated to new treatment methods. These controversies include the medium and long-term results of EVAR influenced by the potential occurrence of procedure-specific complications. To maintain the long-term success of EVAR, namely to eliminate the risk of aneurysm rupture, lifelong, regular imaging surveillance must redocument and reassure the exclusion of the aneurysm sac from the systemic circulation. We hereby propose an effective and safe duplex ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound-based surveillance protocol that would lead to a significant reduction in the number of computed tomography scans required as part of the postoperative surveillance with a resultant reduction in exposure to both ionizing radiation and intravenous nephrotoxic contrast and a significant cost saving.