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S5: Plenary Session 5

RS15 - Aortic Calcification Is Associated with Decreased Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth

Friday, June 16, 2023
8:11 AM – 8:18 AM ET
Objectives: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Although AAA diameter is associated with continued growth and rupture, many other factors remain undetermined. Abdominal aortic calcification is associated with cardiovascular events, but its association with AAA growth remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between abdominal aortic calcification and AAA growth via post-hoc analysis of the Non-Invasive Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Clinical Trial (N-TA3CT).

Methods: Arterial calcification and maximum transverse diameter were measured in non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans in patients enrolled in the N-TA3CT trial. Patients who received a baseline non-contrast CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis and at least one interval CT scan within the two-year study duration were included in the analysis. For individual abdominal arteries, the calcium score was calculated at baseline and measured over time.

Results: Of the 261 randomized patients in the trial, there were 136 patients who met the inclusion criteria for analysis. With univariate analysis, baseline infrarenal aorta (regression coefficient = -.06, P=.004, Figure 1) and total abdominal aortic (regression coefficient = -.03, P=.003) calcium scores were associated with decreased AAA mean transverse diameter (MTD) growth. Infrarenal calcium score progression (regression coefficient = -.21, P=.04) was also associated with decreased AAA growth. In a multivariable regression model using backwards elimination, the baseline infrarenal aorta calcium score remained significantly associated with decreased AAA MTD growth (regression coefficient = -.04, P = .03) (Table I).

Conclusions: In patients with small aortic aneurysms, increasing baseline abdominal aortic calcium scores were associated with decreased AAA growth rates.