Parallel Oral Presentation 4b Vascular Surgery 2 O128 Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Growth Rates in Patients with Multianeurysmal Disease

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and determinants of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) growth in a cohort of patients with multianeurysmal disease. Methods Following a retrospective review of all patients who underwent PAA repair at a tertiary centre between 2006-2012, 22 popliteal arteries in 18 patients were identified for PAA growth study. In total, 154 duplex ultrasound scans (median 7 scans per artery (range 1 – 17)) were reviewed. The median total number of aneurysms per patient was 3 (2 – 10). Potential predictors of PAA growth were tested using linear regression modelling. Results Overall mean and median PAA growth rates were 3.8 ± 6.0mm/year and 1.0 (-8.2 – 19.2mm/year) respectively. None of the variables tested (popliteal artery diameter at index scan, patient age at index scan, patient co-morbidity status, smoking status, total number of aneurysms or presence of extrapopliteal aneurysms) significantly predicted PAA growth rates using linear regression. However, when median PAA growth rates were separated into 3 groups based on popliteal artery diameter at index scan there was a trend towards higher PAA growth rates in arteries with larger index diameters (<1.5cm: 0.5mm/year; >1.5cm – <2.5cm: 0.9mm/year; >2.5cm: 2.1mm/year). Conclusions For multianeurysmal disease, PAA growth rates are fast relative to their size and highly variable. Severity of multianeurysmal disease does not determine PAA growth rates. Predictors of PAA growth appear to be different to those for abdominal aortic aneurysm growth although aneurysm diameter may be important. Take-home message In patients with multianeurysmal disease, popliteal artery aneurysm growth rates are fast relative to their size and growth rate determinants are not the same as those for abdominal aortic aneurysms.