Deciding when to stop yearly CT scans after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Official title: Surveillance priorities and outcomes for Veterans treated with endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Funded at White River Junction VA Medical Center · NIH-11311794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares keeping yearly CT scans versus less frequent imaging to help Veterans who had endovascular aortic aneurysm repair avoid unnecessary risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | White River Junction VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (White River Junction, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003343-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans who previously underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, especially older adults or those with multiple medical conditions, are the intended group.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with recent symptoms, evidence of a high-risk endoleak, or other early postoperative complications are unlikely to benefit from reduced surveillance and will likely need ongoing imaging.
What this research studies
If you had an endovascular repair (EVAR) for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, this research will look at real-world VA records and imaging to see what happens over time. The team will compare outcomes like dangerous endoleaks, kidney injury from contrast scans, and extra tests triggered by incidental findings between different follow-up schedules. They will use clinical data, imaging reports, and statistical models to identify which patients can safely reduce or stop annual scans. The goal is to create clearer rules for follow-up that balance benefits and harms for older, frail Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reduce unnecessary CT scans and related harms like contrast-induced kidney injury and avoid unneeded follow-up tests for Veterans after EVAR.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational studies suggest many stable EVAR patients have a low risk of dangerous endoleaks and might tolerate less frequent imaging, but definitive guidance is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
White River Junction VA Medical Center
White River Junction, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodney, Philip P — White River Junction VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Goodney, Philip P
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.