Medical image analysis to measure the follow-up geometry of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms treated with multilayer flow modulator stent

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the last years, the improvement of minimally techniques for the treatment of aortic aneurysms has proven beneficial both in the reduction of intra-operative mortality and to lower complications rate. However, patients could encounter complications which are most often asymptomatic, and should, therefore, be monitored over the time. Such a follow-up analysis calls a geometric analysis tool able to quantify the aortic aneurysm changes over the time. Motivated by this need, in this work we have proposed a framework for the in-vivo follow-up analysis of the Cardiatis (Isnes, Belgium) Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) device in the repair of thoraco-abdominal aneurysms (TAAA) with the aim of reconstructing aneurysms geometry and analysing its changes in time, with and without the MFM stent. Geometrical indices to measure anatomical changes before and after the intervention are introduced. Four patients with two years of follow-up are included. The study is intended to help clinicians understanding the feasibility of the intervention in TAAA using this novel device and interpreting the post-operative outcomes.