Association of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) MRI of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Wall with Progression: A Prospective Study

Motivation: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) are common, and rupture has >80% mortality. The standard of care is regular surveillance and repair when maximum diameter thresholds are reached. Many ruptures occur before AAA reach these thresholds at surveillance. Goal(s): The goal of this prospective study was to determine if AAA wall contrast kinetics using DCE MRI, presumably associated with inflammatory microvasculature, independently predict progression. Approach: 23 AAA patients were followed over a mean follow-up interval of 14±6 months. Results: Ktrans was significantly associated with progression after controlling for AAA maximum diameter. This suggests that DCE MRI may provide useful information regarding future AAA progression. Impact: Contrast kinetics in AAA wall tissue assessed by DCE MRI may be useful for improving AAA risk stratification.