2007

Mayo Clinic Briefings -
Study of Aortic Distensibility as Means of Predicting Aneurysm Rupture Accepting Enrollees

Cardiac imaging researchers at Mayo Clinic Rochester are accepting enrollees for a 2-year study of aortic distensibility. The study is being done to develop radiographic software that will meet 2 goals: 1) to automatically measure the size and the pulsations of abdominal aortic aneurysm and 2) to determine if abdominal aortic pulsations may predict rupture or growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Enrollment criteria include

• Age 18 to 99 years
• History of a confirmed or suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm of 4.9-cm diameter or less
• Absence of cardiac arrhythmias
• Body mass index of 31 or less
• Blood creatinine level of 2.0 mg/dL or less
• Absence of allergy to iodine or iodine-containing intravenous contrast dyes

Participants selected for this study will undergo computed tomographic angiography of their abdomen and pelvis. Testing involves placing an intravenous catheter in the arm to administer an iodine contrast during the scan and placing 3 electrode pads on the chest to monitor heart rhythm during scanning. Some participants may need to have blood drawn for a creatinine determination before scanning. Women of childbearing age may need to have blood drawn for pregnancy testing before scanning. Participants will be followed for 2 years or less should they have surgical treatment for their aneurysm.