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Marreiros, D.J.D.; Tomsic, A.; Brakel, T.J. van; Hamming, J.F.; Scholte, A.J.H.A.; Hjortnaes, J.; Klautz, R.J.M. (2022)

Computed tomography follow-up after elective proximal aortic surgery: Less is more?

Article / Letter to editor
Study objective: The added value of computed tomography (CT) follow-up after elective proximal aortic surgery is unclear. We evaluated the benefit of CT follow-up by assessing the incidence of aorta-related complications and reinterventions detected during routine CT follow-up. Methods: Data on 314 patients undergoing first time elective proximal aortic surgery between 2000 and 2015 were collected. The primary study end points were aorta-related complications and reinterventions, detected during routine CT follow-up. Secondary study endpoints included all aorta-related complications and reinterventions, irrespective of the mode of detection and survival. Results: Median CT follow-up time was 6.8 (IQR 4.1-9.8) years, during which a total of 1303 routine follow-up CT-scans (median 4, IQR 3-5) were performed. During CT follow-up, aorta-related complications were detected in 18 (5.7%) patients, of which 6 (1.6%) underwent reintervention. In total, 28 aorta-related complications were...Show moreStudy objective: The added value of computed tomography (CT) follow-up after elective proximal aortic surgery is unclear. We evaluated the benefit of CT follow-up by assessing the incidence of aorta-related complications and reinterventions detected during routine CT follow-up. Methods: Data on 314 patients undergoing first time elective proximal aortic surgery between 2000 and 2015 were collected. The primary study end points were aorta-related complications and reinterventions, detected during routine CT follow-up. Secondary study endpoints included all aorta-related complications and reinterventions, irrespective of the mode of detection and survival. Results: Median CT follow-up time was 6.8 (IQR 4.1-9.8) years, during which a total of 1303 routine follow-up CT-scans (median 4, IQR 3-5) were performed. During CT follow-up, aorta-related complications were detected in 18 (5.7%) patients, of which 6 (1.6%) underwent reintervention. In total, 28 aorta-related complications were observed in 23 (7.3%) patients, of which 9 led to reintervention. In order to detect 1 aorta-related complication leading to reintervention, 218 routine followup CT-scans were required. The unadjusted and EuroSCORE II adjusted hazard ratios of not undergoing CT follow-up on mortality were 1.260 (95% CI 0.705-2.251) and 0.830 (95% CI 0.430-1.605), respectively. Conclusions: Following first time elective proximal aor tic surgery, aor ta-related complications are uncommon, are not always detected during CT follow-up and, if detected, often do not result in reintervention. Therefore, a more conservative CT follow-up protocol could be considered in selected patients to reduce lifetime radiation burden and health care costs.Show less
All authors
Marreiros, D.J.D.; Tomsic, A.; Brakel, T.J. van; Hamming, J.F.; Scholte, A.J.H.A.; Hjortnaes, J.; Klautz, R.J.M.
Date
2022-07-01
Journal
American Heart Journal
Volume
249
Pages
66 - 75
DOI
doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2022.04.003