Dual-energy computed tomography imaging of the aorta after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Endovascular repair is increasingly considered a less-invasive alternative to open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, there are still many potential complications of endovascular repair, including endoleaks, graft migration, thrombosis, and fistula formation. Endoleak is the most common complication for which these patients undergo long-term imaging surveillance. Most centers acquire computed tomographic (CT) data before contrast administration and during an arterial and delayed phase of aortic enhancement after the administration of intravenous contrast material to optimize detection of endoleaks. Although this technique works well, the downside is significant patient radiation exposure. Although the carcinogenic risk of ionizing radiation because of CT exposure is low, it has been linked to an increase in the lifelong risk of developing fatal cancers. Furthermore, this risk is cumulative and increases with multiple radiation exposure, as is true in surveillance after endovascular repair. As a result, considerable research is being performed to optimize CT protocols in an effort to decrease radiation dose. One such approach is to image these patients with recently introduced dual source dual-energy CT system. Using this technique, virtual noncontrast data may be generated from a postcontrast acquisition which may obviate the routine acquisition of noncontrast acquisition, thus decreasing radiation dose. In this article, we discuss the role of dual energy CT imaging in evaluation of patients after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.