The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in the follow-up of patients post-endovascular aneurysm repair.

Endovascular aneurysm repair is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients who undergo endovascular aneurysm repair are potentially at risk of developing problems related to the graft such as the development of endoleaks. Endoleaks can cause expansion of the aneurysmal sac, which can potentially lead to rupture. It is for this reason that lifelong surveillance of patients is required to assess the graft and the aneurysmal sac. This article discusses the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the follow-up of patients post-endovascular aneurysm repair. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is rapidly becoming a powerful, accurate and cost-effective tool to complement computed tomography in the follow-up of endovascular aneurysm repair patients. Real-time imaging of contrast filling into the arterial system means that contrast-enhanced ultrasound is an excellent problem-solving tool, particularly when assessing for the type and anatomy of endoleaks. In some instances, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can detect endoleaks when other modalities are equivocal.