AI Software Enhances Detection of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms on CT Scans
A recent retrospective study presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) 2025 Annual Meeting evaluated the effectiveness of Viz AAA, an AI-powered software developed by Viz.ai, in detecting incidental abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scans. The primary goal was to assess the software's diagnostic accuracy and its potential to streamline the identification of AAAs, which are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally.
The study analyzed CECT scans from 440 patients, comprising 52% men and 48% women, with 123 individuals (28%) having a known AAA diagnosis. The AI software demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 87.4% and a specificity of 94.1% in detecting AAAs. For fusiform infrarenal AAAs, the sensitivity increased to 90.9%, with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.5%.
Importantly, the software's performance showed no significant difference between sexes, with sensitivities of 89.7% in men and 88.9% in women. However, the AI failed to analyze 10 cases, including four where AAAs were present, indicating areas for improvement.
The integration of Viz AAA into radiological workflows could enhance the timely detection of incidental AAAs, facilitating earlier intervention and management. Lead author Dr. Mark Gedrich emphasized that automated detection programs like Viz AAA can help identify patients eligible for vascular clinic evaluations, potentially improving patient outcomes.
While the study highlights the promise of AI in detecting AAAs, further research is needed to address the software's limitations and validate its effectiveness across diverse populations and imaging conditions. Continued advancements in AI technology hold the potential to transform the early detection and management of vascular diseases.
1. Gedrich M, Ch J, Clark A, Tolaymat B, Batista P, Gefen R. Validation of artificial intelligence-based detection of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) conference April 27-May 1, 2025, San Diego. Available at: https://www2.arrs.org/am25/ . Accessed April 29, 2025.