Abdominal Aortic Diameter by Computed Tomography in a Population from Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Management of aortic aneurysm is based on observations of its growth and risk of rupture. These measurements are made in studies of individuals who are anthropometrically different, which may lead to errors in making management decisions in these populations.

Objective: Characterize abdominal aortic diameters and the relationship with some anthropometric variables.

Methods: Descriptive study of abdominal tomographies performed in patients with non-vascular causes taking the diameters of the aorta at the suprarenal, infrarenal and bifurcation levels. Variables such as age, gender, weight and height were also included.

Results: 148 CT scans were evaluated (114 women and 32 men) with a mean age of 39.9 years. The mean diameter of the suprarenal aorta in both sexes was 17.5 mm (SD + 1,97), at the infrarenal aorta 14,49 mm (SD + 1,77), and the bifurcation 14 mm (SD + 1,57), with larger diameters in men than in women in all segments (p <0,005).  Age, female sex and BMI, showed significative differences for the aortic diameter. 

Conclusions: The mean diameters found are slightly below those mentioned in other studies. Larger epidemiological studies are needed to define the impact of these findings on decision making.