Multimodality imaging of an aortic graft infection

Echocardiography. 2019 Dec;36(12):2271-2273. doi: 10.1111/echo.14545. Epub 2019 Nov 23.

Abstract

Aortic prosthetic vascular graft infections (PVGI) are rare complications of the aortic surgery, with an incidence of 0.5%-6%. Although rare, they carry mortality rates as high as 25%-88%. Improvement in diagnostic imaging modalities in the last two decades, together with early diagnosis, aortic PVGI associated mortality was reduced. These imaging methods include transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). In this case report, we focus mainly on three imaging modalities as TEE, CTA, and 18F-FDG PET/CT and showed their role in the assessment of aortic PVGI.

Keywords: PET/CT imaging; echocardiography; prosthetic vascular graft infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis*