Normal range of aortic root dimensions

Purpose Motion sickness (MS) is a common condition that affects millions of individuals. Although the condition is common and can be debilitating, little research has focused on the vestibular function associated with susceptibility to MS. One causal theory of MS is an asymmetry of vestibular function within or between ears. The purposes of this study, therefore, were (a) to determine if the vestibular system (oculomotor and caloric tests) in videonystagmography (VNG) is associated with susceptibility to MS and (b) to determine if these tests support the theory of an asymmetry between ears associated with MS susceptibility. Method VNG was used to measure oculomotor and caloric responses. Fifty young adults were recruited; 50 completed the oculomotor tests, and 31 completed the four caloric irrigations. MS susceptibility was evaluated with the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire–Short Form; in this study, percent susceptibility ranged from 0% to 100% in the participants. Participants were divided into three susceptibility groups (Low, Mid, and High). Repeated-measures analyses of variance and pairwise comparisons determined significance among the groups on the VNG test results. Results Oculomotor test results revealed no significant differences among the MS susceptibility groups. Caloric stimuli elicited responses that were correlated positively with susceptibility to MS. Slow-phase velocity was slowest in the Low MS group compared to the Mid and High groups. There was no significant asymmetry between ears in any of the groups. Conclusions MS susceptibility was significantly and positively correlated with caloric slow-phase velocity. Although asymmetries between ears are purported to be associated with MS, asymmetries were not evident. Susceptibility to MS may contribute to interindividual variability of caloric responses within the normal range.

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Dilatation of the entire thoracic aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valve: a magnetic resonance angiography study

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526.34.3.181 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 181-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Westhoff-Bleck ◽

Meyer ◽

Lotz ◽

Tutarel ◽

Weiss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Pulmonary Artery ◽

Aortic Arch ◽

Thoracic Aorta ◽

Aortic Root ◽

Ascending Aorta ◽

Descending Aorta ◽

Severe Aortic Regurgitation

Background: The presence of a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) might be associated with a progressive dilatation of the aortic root and ascending aorta. However, involvement of the aortic arch and descending aorta has not yet been elucidated. Patients and methods: Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was used to assess the diameter of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta in 28 patients with bicuspid aortic valves (mean age 30 ± 9 years). Results: Patients with BAV, but without significant aortic stenosis or regurgitation (n = 10, mean age 27 ± 8 years, n.s. versus control) were compared with controls (n = 13, mean age 33 ± 10 years). In the BAV-patients, aortic root diameter was 35.1 ± 4.9 mm versus 28.9 ± 4.8 mm in the control group (p < 0.01). The diameter of the ascending aorta was also significantly increased at the level of the pulmonary artery (35.5 ± 5.6 mm versus 27.0 ± 4.8 mm, p < 0.001). BAV-patients with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (n = 18, mean age 32 ± 9 years, n.s. versus control) had a significant dilatation of the aortic root, ascending aorta at the level of the pulmonary artery (41.7 ± 4.8 mm versus 27.0 ± 4.8 mm in control patients, p < 0.001) and, furthermore, significantly increased diameters of the aortic arch (27.1 ± 5.6 mm versus 21.5 ± 1.8 mm, p < 0.01) and descending aorta (21.8 ± 5.6 mm versus 17.0 ± 5.6 mm, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The whole thoracic aorta is abnormally dilated in patients with BAV, particularly in patients with moderate/severe aortic regurgitation. The maximum dilatation occurs in the ascending aorta at the level of the pulmonary artery. Thus, we suggest evaluation of the entire thoracic aorta in patients with BAV.

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