Defining a master curve of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and its potential utility of clinical management

Akkoyun E., Gharahi H., Kwon S. T., Zambrano B. A., Rao A., ACAR A. C., ...More

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, vol.208, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 208
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106256
  • Journal Name: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Applied Science & Technology Source, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE
  • Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysms, disease management, aneurysm growth, clinical decision making, optimization and curve fitting, PRACTICE GUIDELINES, MAXIMUM DIAMETER, EXPANSION, SURGERY, RUPTURE, SOCIETY, SURVEILLANCE, ASSOCIATION, THROMBUS, VOLUME
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2021 Elsevier B.V.Objective: The maximum diameter measurement of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which depends on orthogonal and axial cross-sections or maximally inscribed spheres within the AAA, plays a significant role in the clinical decision making process. This study aims to build a total of 21 morphological parameters from longitudinal CT scans and analyze their correlations. Furthermore, this work explores the existence of a “master curve” of AAA growth, and tests which parameters serve to enhance its predictability for clinical use. Methods: 106 CT scan images from 25 Korean AAA patients were retrospectively obtained. We subsequently computed morphological parameters, growth rates, and pair-wise correlations, and attempted to enhance the predictability of the growth for high-risk aneurysms using non-linear curve fitting and least-square minimization. Results: An exponential AAA growth model was fitted to the maximum spherical diameter, as the best representative of the growth among all parameters (r-square: 0.94) and correctly predicted to 15 of 16 validation scans based on a 95% confidence interval. AAA volume expansion rates were highly correlated (r=0.75) with thrombus accumulation rates. Conclusions: The exponential growth model using spherical diameter provides useful information about progression of aneurysm size and enables AAA growth rate extrapolation during a given surveillance period.