Applications of spiral CT in endovascular aortic interventions

Spiral computed tomography (CT) and three dimensional (3D) CT angiography have rapidly emerged as essential imaging studies in the evaluation of patients undergoing endovascular interventions for aortic aneurysms and dissections. Its major advantages are the ability to provide excellent spatial resolution of the aorta and major branch vessels prior to intervention, detection of subtle perigraft leaks following stent-graft treatment of aortic aneurysms, and providing detailed assessment of intimal flap anatomy in acute aortic dissections. The purpose of this article is to describe the technique and application of spiral CT before and after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms and dissections based upon the 5- year clinical experience at Stanford University.