The immediate post-operative impact of infrarenal aortic endografts on renal arterial flow dynamics: Insights from four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to quantify changes in renal blood flow before and after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluate its correlation with renal impairment. Methods In this retrospective analysis, 18 patients underwent elective EVAR for infrarenal fusiform abdominal aortic aneurysms using Excluder or Endurant endografts. 4D flow MRI scans were conducted before and 1–4 days after EVAR. Hemodynamics were quantified at the suprarenal aorta (SupAo), bilateral renal arteries (RRA and LRA), and infrarenal aorta (InfAo). Cardiac phase-resolved blood flow values (BFVs), relative flow distribution (RFD), and flow change rates (FCRs) were assessed. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured pre- and postoperatively. Results A total of 16 patients were analyzed after excluding two outliers. Pre-EVAR BFVs were 23.1 ± 8.3, 3.7 ± 1.3, 3.4 ± 1.2, and 15.1 ± 5.9 mL/cycle, while post-EVAR BFVs were 20.9 ± 6.9, 3.8 ± 1.1, 3.2 ± 0.9, and 12.1 ± 4.3 mL/cycle in SupAo, RRA, LRA, and InfAo, respectively. Comparing Excluder (N = 8) and Endurant (N = 8), the total renal FCR was 121.8% [106.6–144.7] versus 101.3% [63.8–121.8] ( p = 0.110), suggesting a potential improvement in renal blood flow with the Excluder, although not statistically significant. A significant correlation was found between the total renal FCR and the relative eGFR at 6 months (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.789; p < 0.001). Conclusions The endografts, particularly the Excluder, showed potential in improving renal artery blood flow in some patients. The significant correlation between the total renal FCR and the relative eGFR at 6 months suggests that acute hemodynamic alterations induced by EVAR may impact post-operative renal function. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess their clinical implications.