The Role of Color Duplex Ultrasound in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Stent Grafts

Abstract

Although ultrasound is an inexpensive, effective diagnostic tool in abdominal vascular diagnosis in general, its use in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diagnosis and endograft follow-up has been the subject of controversy and contradictory reports.1, 2, 3, 4 Endograft replacement for abdominal aortic aneurysms has been used for over 10 years in the United States, but controversy still remains as to the role of ultrasound in postimplant surveillance.5,6 The notable effect of regional variability in the use of ultrasound7 and the marked differences in expertise from center to center have led to the inconsistent application of ultrasound to both general AAA diagnosis as well as to surveillance after endograft treatment. As a result, many divergent opinions exist as to the ultimate role of color duplex ultrasound in aortic aneurysmal disease.