Ultrasound/color Doppler with low mechanical index technique (CE-US/CD low MI) and ultrasound contrast media in follow-up of patients with aortic endoprosthesis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound color Doppler with second-generation contrast agent in follow-up of aortic endo-prosthesis performing both modules with harmonic low MI technique (CE-US/CD low MI).Methods: 18 patients with aortic endoprosthesis underwent a baseline color Doppler and a CE-US/CD low MI examination in early follow-up after procedure; Sono Vue® was used as contrast agent; the examinations were performed at the bedside of patients. Multislice CT was performed in each patient before being discharged from hospital; the late follow-up was carried out in the first following months through the above-mentioned US techniques. If any suspicion of endoleak raised from CE-US/CD low MI and CT examinations (early follow-up), digital subtracted angiography (DSA) confirmed the diagnosis and allowed the treatment in the same session.Results: Baseline color Doppler detected a lower number of endoleaks in comparison with CE-US/CD low MI and was invalidated by false positives (due to movement artefacts or to low PRF). CE-US/CD low MI showed a high diagnostic agreement with CT in endoleak detection: the information concerning the flow direction provided by CE-US/CD low MI (chromatic code) enabled to identify the endoleak type.Conclusions: CE-US/CD low MI examination is to be considered a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool in early and late follow-up of aortic endo-prosthesis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound color Doppler with second-generation contrast agent in follow-up of aortic endo-prosthesis performing both modules with harmonic low MI technique (CE-US/CD low MI). Methods: 18 patients with aortic endoprosthesis underwent a baseline color Doppler and a CE-US/CD low MI examination in early follow-up after procedure; Sono Vue® was used as contrast agent; the examinations were performed at the bedside of patients. Multislice CT was performed in each patient before being discharged from hospital; the late follow-up was carried out in the first following months through the above-mentioned US techniques. If any suspicion of endoleak raised from CE-US/CD low MI and CT examinations (early follow-up), digital subtracted angiography (DSA) confirmed the diagnosis and allowed the treatment in the same session. Results: Baseline color Doppler detected a lower number of endoleaks in comparison with CE-US/CD low MI and was invalidated by false positives (due to movement artefacts or to low PRF). CE-US/CD low MI showed a high diagnostic agreement with CT in endoleak detection: the information concerning the flow direction provided by CE-US/CD low MI (chromatic code) enabled to identify the endoleak type. Conclusions: CE-US/CD low MI examination is to be considered a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool in early and late follow-up of aortic endo-prosthesis.