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Lee YJ, Aghayev A, Azene EM, Bhatti S, Ewell JC, Hedgire SS, Kendi AT, Kim ESH, Kirsch DS, Nagpal P, Pillai AK, Ripley B, Tannenbaum A, Thiessen MEW, Thomas R, Woolsey S, Steigner ML. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. J Am Coll Radiol 2024; 21:S286-S291. [PMID: 38823950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2024.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a significant vascular disease found in 4% to 8% of the screening population. If ruptured, its mortality rate is between 75% and 90%, and it accounts for up to 5% of sudden deaths in the United States. Therefore, screening of AAA while asymptomatic has been a crucial portion of preventive health care worldwide. Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is the primary imaging modality for screening of AAA recommended for asymptomatic adults regardless of their family history or smoking history. Alternatively, duplex ultrasound and CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast may be appropriate for screening. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jin Lee
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Ayaz Aghayev
- Panel Chair, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Salman Bhatti
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
| | - Joshua C Ewell
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey; Committee on Emergency Radiology-GSER
| | - Sandeep S Hedgire
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - A Tuba Kendi
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Commission on Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
| | - Esther S H Kim
- Atrium Health, Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina; American Society of Echocardiography
| | | | - Prashant Nagpal
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Anil K Pillai
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Beth Ripley
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Molly E W Thiessen
- Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; American College of Emergency Physicians
| | - Richard Thomas
- Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Woolsey
- Association for Utah Community Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; American Academy of Family Physicians
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Derwich W, Schönborn M, Blase C, Wittek A, Oikonomou K, Böckler D, Erhart P. Correlation of four-dimensional ultrasound strain analysis with computed tomography angiography wall stress simulations in abdominal aortic aneurysms. JVS Vasc Sci 2024; 5:100199. [PMID: 38633883 PMCID: PMC11022090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2024.100199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Biomechanical modeling of infrarenal aortic aneurysms seeks to predict ruptures in advance, thereby reducing aneurysm-related deaths. As individual methods focusing on strain and stress analysis lack adequate discretization power, this study aims to explore multifactorial characterization for progressive aneurysmal degeneration. The study's objective is to compare stress- and strain-related parameters in infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Methods Twenty-two patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) (mean maximum diameter, 53.2 ± 7.2 mm) were included in the exploratory study, examined by computed tomography angiography (CTA) and three-dimensional real-time speckle tracking ultrasound (4D-US). The conformity of aneurysm anatomy in 4D-US and CTA was determined with the mean point-to-point distance (MPPD). CTA was employed for each AAA to characterize stress-related indices using the semi-automated A4-clinics RE software. Five segmentations from one 4D-US examination were fused into one averaged model for strain analysis using MATLAB and the Abaqus solver. Results The mean MPPD between the adjacent points of the 4D-US and CTA-derived geometry was 1.8 ± 0.4 mm. The interclass correlation coefficients for all raters and all measurements for the maximum AAA diameter in 2D, 4D ultrasound, and CTA indicate moderate to good reliability (interclass correlation coefficient1 0.69 with 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.84; P < .001). The peak wall stress (PWS) correlates fairly with the maximum AAA diameter in 2D-US (r = 0.54; P < .01) and 4D-US (r = 0.53; P < .05) and moderately strongly with the maximum exterior AAA diameter (r = 0.63; P < .01). The peak wall rupture risk index shows a strong correlation with the PWS (ρ > 0.9; P < .001) and is influenced by anatomical parameters with equal strength. Isolated observation of the intraluminal thrombus does not provide significant information in the determination of PWS. The maximum AAA diameter in 2D-US shows a fair negative correlation with the mean circumferential, longitudinal and in-plane shear strain (ρ = -0.46; r = -0.45; ρ = -0.47; P < .05 for all). The circumferential strain ratio as an indicator of wall motion heterogeneity increases with the aneurysm diameter (r = 0.47; P < .05). The direct comparison of wall strain and wall stress indices shows no quantitative correlation. Conclusions The strain and stress analyses provide independent biomechanical information of AAAs. At the current stage of development, the two methods are considered complementary and may optimize a more patient-specific rupture risk prediction in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Derwich
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Manuel Schönborn
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Christopher Blase
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Wittek
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Kyriakos Oikonomou
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Dittmar Böckler
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Erhart
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Hegner A, Wittek A, Derwich W, Huß A, Gámez AJ, Blase C. Using averaged models from 4D ultrasound strain imaging allows to significantly differentiate local wall strains in calcified regions of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:1709-1727. [PMID: 37405538 PMCID: PMC10511614 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01738-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a degenerative disease of the aorta associated with high mortality. To date, in vivo information to characterize the individual elastic properties of the aneurysm wall in terms of rupture risk is lacking. We have used time-resolved 3D ultrasound strain imaging to calculate spatially resolved in-plane strain distributions characterized by mean and local maximum strains, as well as indices of local variations in strains. Likewise, we here present a method to generate averaged models from multiple segmentations. Strains were then calculated for single segmentations and averaged models. After registration with aneurysm geometries based on CT-A imaging, local strains were divided into two groups with and without calcifications and compared. Geometry comparison from both imaging modalities showed good agreement with a root mean squared error of 1.22 ± 0.15 mm and Hausdorff Distance of 5.45 ± 1.56 mm (mean ± sd, respectively). Using averaged models, circumferential strains in areas with calcifications were 23.2 ± 11.7% (mean ± sd) smaller and significantly distinguishable at the 5% level from areas without calcifications. For single segmentations, this was possible only in 50% of cases. The areas without calcifications showed greater heterogeneity, larger maximum strains, and smaller strain ratios when computed by use of the averaged models. Using these averaged models, reliable conclusions can be made about the local elastic properties of individual aneurysm (and long-term observations of their change), rather than just group comparisons. This is an important prerequisite for clinical application and provides qualitatively new information about the change of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the course of disease progression compared to the diameter criterion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achim Hegner
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design, School of Engineering, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Andreas Wittek
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wojciech Derwich
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Armin Huß
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antonio J. Gámez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design, School of Engineering, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Christopher Blase
- Personalized Biomedical Engineering Lab, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cell and Vascular Mechanics, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Zielinski AH, Bredahl KK, Ghulam QM, Rouet L, Dufour C, Sillesen HH, Eiberg JP. Full-Volume Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Improved-Field-of-View 3-D Ultrasound Performs Comparably to Computed Tomographic Angiography. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:283-292. [PMID: 34823944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional ultrasound (US) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is limited by the field-of-view of the 3D-US transducer. To obtain an extended field-of-view (XFoV), two transducer navigation system-assisted US protocols have been developed: XFoV-2D and XFoV-3D. In this study, the XFoV US protocols were compared with the currently available 3D-US protocol with standard field-of-view (FoV-st) and the established gold standard, computed tomography angiography (CTA). A total of 65 patients with AAA were included, and AAA imaging was processed offline with prototype software. The novel XFoV-2D and XFoV-3D protocols allowed for assessment of full AAA volume in significantly more patients (45/65 [69%] and 43/65 [66%], respectively), compared with the current 3D-US standard, FoV-st (30/65 [46%] patients). The mean difference in AAA volume estimation between each XFoV US protocol and 3-D CTA differed significantly (XFoV-2D: 16.9 mL, XFoV-3D: 7.6 mL, p = 0.002), indicating that XFoV-3D agreed best with 3D-CTA. No significant difference was found in the variance of full AAA volume quantification between each XFoV US protocol and CTA (p = 0.49). It is concluded that the XFoV US protocols improved the generation of full AAA volumes compared with the currently available 3D-US technology, with AAA volume estimates comparable to CTA estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim Kargaard Bredahl
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Henrik Hegaard Sillesen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jones Peter Eiberg
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Broda M, Rouet L, Zielinski A, Sillesen H, Eiberg J, Ghulam Q. Profiling abdominal aortic aneurysm growth with three-dimensional ultrasound. INT ANGIOL 2021; 41:33-40. [PMID: 34672485 DOI: 10.23736/s0392-9590.21.04724-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Profiling" is a new method based on three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) allowing for direct comparison of baseline and follow-up diameters along the AAA length. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of profiling to visualize AAA changes at sub-maximum diameters, and to categorize the growth profiles. METHODS Retrospective analysis of prospectively and consecutively included patients under AAA surveillance at a tertiary referral centre. 3D-US images of AAAs at baseline and at one-year follow-up were segmented, generating a centerline and a mesh of the aneurysm geometry. The mesh was processed to illustrate diameter changes of a given AAA. Three growth profiles were identified: A) Peak Growth: the largest, significant (≥3.6 mm) diameter difference occurred within a 10 mm margin to either side of the maximum baseline diameter; B) Edge Growth: at least one significant diameter difference and the criteria for Peak Growth did not apply; C) No Growth: all diameter differences were nonsignificant. A centerline length of ≥60 mm was assumed to capture a comparable segment of the wall geometry at baseline and follow-up. Cohen's kappa and Kaplan Meier analysis were used to analyze data. RESULTS In total, 186 patients had growth profiles generated. Of these, 28 (15%) were discarded, mainly based on inadequate centerline lengths (n= 21, 11.3%). The remaining patients were categorized into Edge Growth (n=83, 52%), No Growth (n=47, 30%), and Peak Growth (n=28, 18%). CONCLUSIONS Profiling interprets AAA growth at sub-maximum diameters. Half of the cohort had Edge Growth. These AAAs risk being classified as stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Broda
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark - .,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark -
| | | | - Alexander Zielinski
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sillesen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Eiberg
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Copenhagen Academy of Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Qasam Ghulam
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Johnsen L, Hisdal J, Jonung T, Braaten A, Pedersen G. Three-dimensional Ultrasound Volume and Conventional Ultrasound Diameter Changes are Equally Good Markers of Endoleak in Follow-up after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. J Vasc Surg 2021; 75:1030-1037.e1. [PMID: 34606959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.08.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The main disadvantages of computed tomography angiography in follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair are the risks of contrast-induced renal impairment and radiation-induced cancer. Three-dimensional ultrasound is a new technique for volume estimation of the aneurysm sac. Some studies have reported promising results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of three-dimensional ultrasound aneurysm sac-volume estimates, and to explore whether volume and/or diameter changes on ultrasound can be used as markers of endoleak. METHODS A single-center diagnostic accuracy study was performed. 92 Patients planned for endovascular aneurysm repair were prospectively and consecutively enrolled (2013-2016). Aneurysm sac diameter and volume were measured using computed tomography angiography, conventional ultrasound, and three-dimensional ultrasound preoperatively and 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Three-dimensional ultrasound was performed with a commercially available electromechanical transducer. Patients with endoleak were observed 5 years after endovascular aneurysm repair. RESULTS 79 men and 13 women were included. Mean age was 74 years (57-92). Median follow-up was 24 months. Endoleak cases were observed for up to 55 months. Diameter measurements on conventional ultrasound correlated well with CT diameters (r = 0.9, P < 0.05, n = 347), and Bland-Altman analyses showed an upper limit of agreement of +0.5 cm and a lower limit of agreement of -0.8 cm. The mean difference was -0.13 cm ± 0.36 cm. Three-dimensional ultrasound volumes had a correlation with computed tomography angiography diameters of r = 0.8 (P < 0.05, n = 347) and with three-dimensional computed tomography volumes of r = 0.8 (P < 0.05, n = 155). Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that the diameter and volume changes which led to reintervention were most accurate at 24-month follow-up, with area-under-the-curve percentage changes of 0.98 (two-dimensional ultrasound), 0.97 (three-dimensional ultrasound), and 0.97 (two-dimensional computed tomography). DISCUSSION Both diameter and volume changes can be used as markers for endoleak with excellent areas under the curve on receiver operating characteristic analyses. However, three-dimensional ultrasound volumes did not add any further diagnostic information. Conventional 2D diameter measurements were as accurate as volume changes as markers of endoleak. CONCLUSION Type II endoleaks can safely be followed up using a simple diameter measurement on conventional ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Johnsen
- Haukeland University Hospital; University of Bergen; Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
| | - J Hisdal
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Oslo University Hospital; University of Oslo
| | | | | | - G Pedersen
- Haukeland University Hospital; University of Bergen
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Ghulam Q, Bredahl K, Rouet L, Sillesen H, Eiberg J. Three-dimensional ultrasound improves identification of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms reaching the threshold for repair. J Vasc Surg 2021; 74:1644-1650. [PMID: 33940074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Conventional two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) has been the recommended and preferred modality for the diagnosis and surveillance of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Measurement of the aneurysm diameter using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) has shown promising results in a research setting, improving agreement and reproducibility. However, studies evaluating 3D-US in a clinical context are lacking, which could hinder the optimal usage of this new modality. In the present study, we investigated the clinical value of 3D-US for AAA surveillance compared with the current standard 2D-US examination. METHODS Data from 126 patients with infrarenal AAAs <50 mm and 55 mm (female and male, respectively) were available for analysis. Eligibility was determined using the standard 2D-US anteroposterior (AP) diameter with a dual-plane technique. All the patients had subsequently undergone additional 3D-US and computed tomography angiography (CTA). Using CTA as the reference standard, the maximal standard 2D-US AP diameter was compared with that from 3D-US. RESULTS All 126 AAAs were, per the inclusion criteria, small, with no intervention indicated. With the addition of 3D-US imaging to the 2D-US-based surveillance program, the AAA diameter threshold (50 and 55 mm) was exceeded for 31 of the 126 patients (25%). These 31 patients were withdrawn from the present study and referred for treatment planning. Compared with the CTA AP diameter (mean, 49 ± 7.2 mm), the mean 3D-US AP diameter (mean, 49 ± 6.7 mm) was significantly more accurate than the standard mean 2D-US AP diameter (45 ± 6.2 mm; kappa value, 0.86 ± 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.96; kappa value, 0.01 ± 0.04; 95% confidence interval, -0.05 to 0.09, respectively). CONCLUSIONS For clinical use, the AAA diameter assessment using 3D-US was significantly more accurate than that with 2D-US and can substantially change the clinical management, from surveillance to operative treatment, for approximately one fourth of patients with an AAA. Further studies evaluating the clinical consequences of the 2D to 3D paradigm shift in AAA diagnostics are warranted, including sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and reproducibility estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qasam Ghulam
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Kim Bredahl
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Sillesen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Eiberg
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Academy of Medical Education and Simulation, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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