Estimation of Biomechanical Aortic Wall Properties in Healthy and Aneurysmal Aortas Using Novel Imaging Techniques

Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, (AAA), will be identified within the vascular
surgery practice. Those patients who meet standard indications for surgery including
symptomatic AAA, size >5.0-5.5 cm, or rapidly enlarging >0.5 cm per 6 months will have
standard pre-operative work-up which includes magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and
Echocardiogram (ECHO). These pre-operative studies will be modified for the study patients to
include electrocardiogram(ECG)-gating (coupled with MR angiogram) and 2-Dimensional
speckle-tracking ultrasound of the abdominal aorta. Patients in the study will be followed
for 1 year. Measurements will be analyzed for any relationship between aortic wall properties
and clinical outcomes such as aneurysm growth, rupture risk or aortic dissection. This study
will be comparing 3 groups of patients: no surgery (surveillance), open surgery, and
endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients >18 years of age with ability to provide informed consent.

- Patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic AAA as defined by aortic diameter ≥
1.5x normal diameter.

- Patients with non-aneurysmal aortas who require aortic contrast imaging or
echocardiography for preoperative planning or other reason.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with contraindication to IV contrast such as allergy or severe kidney
dysfunction.

- Patients who do not require contrast imaging or echocardiogram as part of their care
plan.

- Terminally ill patients, and patients with estimated life expectancy of ≤ 6 months.

- Patients unable to tolerate magnetic resonance imaging.