Analysis of renal artery geometry may assist in the design of new stents for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND

Endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms is a feasible technique, but up to 30 per cent of patients may be excluded on the basis of a short proximal aortic neck.

METHODS

A dissection study was performed on 65 cadavers to measure the distance between the superior mesenteric and renal artery ostia, and to document the points of origin of the renal arteries.

RESULTS

The interostial distance did not differ significantly between aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal aortas (P = 0.90 for the left renal artery; P = 0.72 for the right). The median distance was 0.7 cm. The renal arteries originated between 2 and 4 o'clock on the left and between 9 and 10 o'clock on the right.

CONCLUSION

The relative consistency of the anatomy in this region may allow the development of a new stent which would increase the number of patients suitable for endovascular repair.