Impact of Physician Specialty on Outcomes Following Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Abstract

Objectives: Penetrating aortic ulcers can be a concerning finding on imaging. They are believed to be the predecessors for intramural hematomas, dissections, and aneurysm degeneration. It is hypothesized that penetrating ulcers of the abdominal aorta (PUAA) and iliac arteries (PUIA), like their thoracic counterparts, signal impending vascular catastrophe.Methods: With the institution of electronic medical records at our health system in 2010, a search for the words "penetrating ulcer" in radiology reports became possible. Fifty-three patients were identified as having a penetrating ulcer of the abdominal aorta (PUAA) on computed tomography angiography during a 10-month period from October 2010 through August 2011, and 34 were identified as having a PUIA. The patients' clinical course was monitored through August 2014. No specific intervention for the ulcers was performed; however, if the patient had additional aortic pathology necessitating intervention, it was performed. Retrospective and prospective review of imaging was performed when possible. Student's t-test and c 2 tests were performed for statistical analysis.