Cross-sectional area reduction of the aortic ostium by suprarenal stent wires: in vitro phantom study by CT virtual angioscopy.

The study aims to investigate the reduction of cross-sectional area of the aortic ostium by the presence of aortic stent wires observed using CT virtual angioscopy in an aorta phantom. A human aorta phantom was built with a commercial stent graft placed in situ to simulate a repaired aortic aneurysm. Virtual angioscopic images of the aortic ostium and stent wires were generated in the locations of renal arteries, superior mesenteric artery and corresponding cross-sectional area reduction caused by stent wires was measured by virtual angioscopy in various scanning parameters. Our study showed that cross-sectional area reduction of the aortic ostium was determined by the diameter of renal ostium and stent wires, as well as the number of stent wires crossing the aortic ostium.