# Computed Tomography-Derived Psoas Muscle Index as a Diagnostic Predictor of Early Complications Following Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Two European Centers

## TL;DR

This study explores whether a CT-based muscle index can predict early complications after aortic surgery, finding mixed results depending on the hospital and procedure type.

## Contribution

The study introduces the use of the Psoas Muscle Index as a potential diagnostic tool for early complications in endovascular aortic repair.

## Key findings

- Low PMI was significantly associated with early complications in EVAR patients at the Polish center.
- No significant associations were found in open repair or at the Dutch center.
- PMI's predictive value appears context-dependent and influenced by institutional factors.

## Abstract

Background/Objective: Sarcopenia is a predictor of poor surgical outcomes in older adults. The Psoas Muscle Index (PMI), calculated from routine preoperative CT scans, has been proposed as an imaging-based marker of physiological reserve, but its diagnostic utility in vascular surgery remains unclear. We aimed to assess the predictive value of PMI for early complications following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in two European centers. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 245 patients who underwent open or endovascular AAA repair between 2018 and 2022 in Poland and The Netherlands. PMI was measured at the level of third lumbar vertebrae (L3) level, normalized to height, and stratified into center-specific tertiles. Early complications were compared across tertiles, procedures, and centers. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for age, comorbidities, and procedure type. Results: Low PMI was significantly associated with early complications in EVAR patients at the Polish center (p = 0.004). No associations were found in open repair or at the Dutch center. Mean PMI values did not differ significantly between centers. Conclusions: PMI may serve as a context-dependent imaging biomarker for early risk stratification following AAA repair, particularly in endovascular cases. Its predictive value is influenced by institutional and procedural factors, highlighting the need for prospective validation and standardization before clinical adoption.