Value of CEUS as a surrogate for CTA for EVAR surveillance (Ver 1.1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a surrogate for computed tomography angiography (CTA), for endoleak detection during endovascular repair (EVAR) surveillance.
IRAS ID
225960
Contact name
Andrew McNeill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 24 days
Research summary
The research will determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is as good as computed tomography angiography (CTA) for detecting leaks (endoleaks) from stent-grafts used to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a widening or ballooning out of the main artery in the abdomen. This widening causes the artery wall to weaken, making it more likely to burst (rupture) causing serious injury or death to the patient.
Patients who have had their abdominal aortic aneurysms repaired with stent-grafts require lifelong surveillance because there is a risk that blood can leak from the stent-graft into the old aneurysm. Some leaks can cause the aneurysm to expand again, putting the patient at risk of a ruptured aneurysm which is life threatening. Surveillance allows identification of leaks, which can be addressed before they cause major problems.
The currently accepted test for detecting endoleaks is CTA, however it gives a relatively high radiation dose to patients, it can cause damage to the kidneys in some cases, and it is more expensive than ultrasound. CEUS is a relatively new technique for detecting endoleaks but current literature suggests that it may be as good, if not better, at detecting leaks. CEUS does not give a radiation dose, the contrast does not pose a significant risk to patients’ kidneys, and it is cheaper.
This research would use previously recorded data of patients who have had both CTA and CEUS during their stent-graft surveillance to determine if CEUS could be used instead of CTA in the future. No new patients would be recruited for this research but existing information of patients under EVAR surveillance would be analysed.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0294
Date of REC Opinion
8 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion