Objectives: to evaluate cine MRI as a means of determining the two-dimensional pulsatile wall motion (2D-PWM) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Design: prospective study of 21 patients with AAA. 2D-PWM was defined as change in cross-sectional area.
Results: the median diastolic area was 28 cm(2) (intraquartile range, IQR, 22-31 cm(2)) and the median (IQR) 2D-PWM was 0.25 (0.10-0.40) cm(2). Assuming that the AAA is circular in cross-section this represents a median (IQR) diameter increase of 0.3 (0.1-0.4) mm. However, local wall displacements up to 2 mm were present in varying directions, without significant change in surface area.
Conclusion: AAA PWM is negligible and may not therefore be a potential tool to assess efficacy of endovascular aneurysm exclusion.
Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Limited.