This study demonstrates that duplex ultrasound can supplant CT as the postoperative surveillance tool of choice following EVAR without any compromise in accuracy of imaging and resulting in significant cost savings.

CDUS can replace CT as the first line surveillance tool following EVAR. This is associated with a significant reduction in the cost of surveillance without any loss of imaging accuracy.

Screening for concomitant atherosclerotic disease is important in cardiovascular risk reduction. This study assessed the prevalence of carotid artery disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with known abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). All patients with AAA attending the vascular laboratory between the January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, were eligible for a carotid ultrasound and measurement of ankle brachial indices. A total of 389 (305 males) patients were identified on the AAA surveillance program with a mean (+standard deviation) age of 76 (+8) years. The mean age of the males was 75.4 (+7.8) years, and the mean age of the females was 77 (+11) years. A total of 332 patients were assessed for CAD, and 101 (30.4%) of those were found to have significant disease. A total of 289 patients were assessed for PAD of which 131 (45.3%) were found to have PAD at rest, and 289 patients were assessed for both and 59 (20.4%) patients had significant CAD þ PAD. Patients with AAAs are at high risk of other atherosclerotic disorders, and, therefore, they should receive intensive medical optimization.

Background/objective Measures of oxygen uptake efficiency (OUE) have been used to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in adolescents unable to perform maximal exercise. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and oxygen uptake efficiency plateau (OUEP) have been proposed as surrogates for maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O 2max ). We assessed the validity of the OUES and OUEP as predictors of V̇O 2max in healthy male adolescents. Methods Sixty-three healthy male adolescents aged 15.40 ± 0.34 years underwent an incremental treadmill test to determine V̇O 2max , OUES and OUEP. OUE throughout the test was assessed by dividing each V̇O 2 value by the corresponding minute ventilation (V̇ E ) value. OUEP was determined as the 90 s average highest consecutive values for OUE. OUES was determined using data up to the ventilatory threshold (VT) by calculating the slope of the linear relation between V̇O 2 and the logarithm of V̇ E . Results Limits of agreement for V̇O 2max predicted by OUES (±13.3 mL kg −1. min −1 ) and OUEP (±16.7 mL kg −1. min −1 ) relative to V̇O 2max were wide and a magnitude bias was found for OUES and OUEP as predictors of V̇O 2max (p < 0.001). Conclusion The OUES and OUEP do not accurately predict V̇O 2max in male adolescents and should not replace V̇O 2max when assessing CRF in this population.

EVAR patients have a significantly higher postoperative PWV measurement than those undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Patients who have undergone EVAR may be at a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity in the long term. A larger scale study with a longer prospective follow-up is required.