Review of postoperative CT and ultrasound for endovascular aneurysm repair using Talent stent graft: can we simplify the surveillance protocol and reduce the number of CT scans?

BackgroundSimplifying a postoperative surveillance protocol for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) requires quality control comparing computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) results of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter measurements and endoleaks.PurposeTo test if US is comparable to CT, then assess a simplified follow-up with our conventional surveillance to assess patient safety.Material and MethodsDuring 2001-2006, data on 56 patients treated with Talent stent graft were prospectively registered. Median follow-up was 41.5 months (range, 2-94 months), with CT, US, and plain film abdomen X-rays (PFA) at 1, 6, and 12 months, then yearly. Bland-Altman plot was used to assess the agreement between CT and US measuring the AAA diameters and mixed model by the time effect to assess the difference in diameter over time. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of endoleaks by US, with CT as ‘gold standard’ were calculated. A simplified surveillance protocol with US/PFA at 6 and 8 weeks, CT/US/P...