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Inflammation detected through the uptake of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and finite element (FE) modelling of tissue stress both hold potential in the assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk. This study aimed to examine the spatial relationship between these two biomarkers. Patients (n = 50) > 40 years with AAA maximum diameters > = 40 mm underwent USPIO-enhanced MRI and computed tomography angiogram (CTA). USPIO uptake was compared with wall stress predictions from CTA-based patient-specific FE models of each aneurysm. Elevated stress was commonly observed in areas vulnerable to rupture (e.g. posterior wall and shoulder). Only 16% of aneurysms exhibited co-localisation of elevated stress and mural USPIO enhancement. Globally, no correlation was observed between stress and other measures of USPIO uptake (i.e. mean or peak). It is suggested that cellular inflammation and stress may represent different but complimentary aspects of AAA disease progression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s12265-017-9766-9

Type

Journal article

Journal

J cardiovasc transl res

Publication Date

12/2017

Volume

10

Pages

489 - 498

Keywords

Abdominal aortic aneurysms, Finite element analysis, MRI, Patient-specific modelling, USPIO uptake, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aorta, Abdominal, Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal, Aortic Rupture, Aortitis, Aortography, Computed Tomography Angiography, Contrast Media, Dextrans, Dilatation, Pathologic, Disease Progression, Female, Finite Element Analysis, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetite Nanoparticles, Male, Models, Cardiovascular, Patient-Specific Modeling, Predictive Value of Tests, Prospective Studies, Regional Blood Flow, Risk Assessment, Scotland, Stress, Mechanical