3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (3D CEUS) for detecting endoleak
Research type
Research Study
Full title
3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (3D CEUS) for detecting endoleak following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)
IRAS ID
132029
Contact name
Charles McCollum
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital of South Manchester
Research summary
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially life threatening condition where the aorta, the main artery that carries blood down the body from the heart, weakens and bulges within the upper abdomen. Approximately 5% of men over the age of 65 years are affected. An AAA progressively enlarges until it bursts; this is usually a fatal event and accounts for 7000 deaths a year in the UK. AAAs are typically treated when they grow to 5.5cms in diameter, or greater, to avoid future risk of bursting. \nThere are two treatment options : open surgery or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Open repair involves entering the abdomen through a large incision and replacing diseased aorta with a fabric tube. EVAR is considerably less invasive ‘keyhole’ treatment and placing tubes (stents) within the aorta through small incisions in the groin. This technique allows a more rapid recovery. Accordingly, EVAR is becoming increasingly popular and presently accounts for over 60% of all non-emergency AAA operations in the North West. \n\nA potential disadvantage of EVAR is that stent attachment is not as secure as a tube used in the open operation. In time, some stents may not adequately seal the aneurysm or become kinked. Leakage of blood around the stent into the AAA (‘endoleak’) may allow it start growing again.Therefore, EVAR requires life long surveillance and 10% of patients will need to have an additional treatment in the future if an endoleak is detected during follow-up. There is no universal standard for post-EVAR surveillance in UK. CT, X-ray and 2D contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be used to follow up EVAR patients. 3D CEUS may have accuracy comparable to or better than CT to detect source of endoleaks. This study aims to investigate the clinical utility of 3D CEUS in EVAR surveillance.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0485
Date of REC Opinion
13 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion