Diseases of the Aorta

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizio Lancellotti ◽  
Bernard Cosyns
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Serial Measurement ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination ◽  
The Right ◽  
Axis View

This chapter considers evaluation of the aorta as a routine part of the standard echocardiographic examination. It looks as TTE as an excellent modality for imaging the aortic root, and in the serial measurement of maximum aortic root diameters, aortic regurgitation evaluation, and timing of elective surgery for several entities. In some patients, the right parasternal long-axis view can provide supplementary information of the ascending aorta. Of major importance for evaluation of the thoracic aorta is the suprasternal view. Although the entire thoracic descending aorta is not well imaged by TTE, the abdominal descending aorta is relatively easily visualized. TEE is safe and can be performed at the bedside. It provides a good visualization of the entire thoracic aorta, with the exception of the distal part of the ascending aorta.

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

VASA ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
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.

Serial evaluation of the thoracic aorta in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve: A magnetic resonance angiography study

VASA ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tutarel ◽  
Meyer ◽  
Lotz ◽  
Westhoff-Bleck
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Bicuspid Aortic Valve ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Innominate Artery ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Valve Function ◽  
A Prospective Study

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with an arteriopathy leading to a progressive dilatation of the aortic root. Recent studies have shown that the whole thoracic aorta is affected by this arteriopathy. Longitudinal data regarding the progression of this arteriopathy in the whole thoracic aorta has not been reported before. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study 40 patients (mean age 28.5 ± 9.1 years) had 2 MR-angiographies (mean interval 37.1 ± 15.2 months). In 23 patients the aortic valve was regurgitant, in 1 stenotic, in 4 combined aortic stenosis / regurgitation was found, while in 12 the valve function was normal. Aortic diameters were measured at 6 different, standardized anatomical points. The influence of demographic and clinical parameters was assessed. Results: A significant increase of the diameter was observed at the aortic root (35.4 ± 5.6 mm → 39.1 ± 6.5 mm, p < 0.001), the ascending aorta (37.3 ± 8.0 mm → 39.5 ± 8.5 mm, p = 0.001), proximal to the innominate artery (29.4 ± 6.1 mm → 31.6 ± 6.8 mm, p = 0.008), and the descending aorta (20.2 ± 2.4 mm → 21.6 ± 4.2 mm, p = 0.03). There was no significant increase proximal (24.0 ± 5.7 mm → 24.6 ± 5.3 mm, p = 0.44) and distal to the left subclavian artery (21.4 ± 4.6 mm → 21.9 ± 4.5 mm, p = 0.19). These observations were independent of the presence of arterial hypertension, a previous operation, gender, and functional status of the aortic valve. Conclusions: The progressive dilatation of the aortic root and ascending aorta that can be observed in patients with BAV was not found in the more distal parts of the thoracic aorta with the exception of the descending aorta in this study. If the dilatation of the descending aorta bears any clinical significance can't be answered with the current data. A prospective study should be performed to confirm these results.

scholarly journals Radial self-navigated native magnetic resonance angiography in comparison to navigator-gated contrast-enhanced MRA of the entire thoracic aorta in an aortic patient collective

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Correa Londono ◽  
Nino Trussardi ◽  
Verena C. Obmann ◽  
Davide Piccini ◽  
Michael Ith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Aortic Disease ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Scan Time ◽  
Contrast Enhanced

Abstract Background The native balanced steady state with free precession (bSSFP) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique has been shown to provide high diagnostic image quality for thoracic aortic disease. This study compares a 3D radial respiratory self-navigated native MRA (native-SN-MRA) based on a bSSFP sequence with conventional Cartesian, 3D, contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) with navigator-gated respiration control for image quality of the entire thoracic aorta. Methods Thirty-one aortic native-SN-MRA were compared retrospectively (63.9 ± 10.3 years) to 61 CE-MRA (63.1 ± 11.7 years) serving as a reference standard. Image quality was evaluated at the aortic root/ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta. Scan time was recorded. In 10 patients with both MRA sequences, aortic pathologies were evaluated and normal and pathologic aortic diameters were measured. The influence of artifacts on image quality was analyzed. Results Compared to the overall image quality of CE-MRA, the overall image quality of native-SN-MRA was superior for all segments analyzed (aortic root/ascending, p < 0.001; arch, p < 0.001, and descending, p = 0.005). Regarding artifacts, the image quality of native-SN-MRA remained superior at the aortic root/ascending aorta and aortic arch before and after correction for confounders of surgical material (i.e., susceptibility-related artifacts) (p = 0.008 both) suggesting a benefit in terms of motion artifacts. Native-SN-MRA showed a trend towards superior intraindividual image quality, but without statistical significance. Intraindividually, the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of aortic disease were 100% for native-SN-MRA. Aortic diameters did not show a significant difference (p = 0.899). The scan time of the native-SN-MRA was significantly reduced, with a mean of 05:56 ± 01:32 min vs. 08:51 ± 02:57 min in the CE-MRA (p < 0.001). Conclusions Superior image quality of the entire thoracic aorta, also regarding artifacts, can be achieved with native-SN-MRA, especially in motion prone segments, in addition to a shorter acquisition time.

Abstract P230: The Influence of Calcification of Ascending Aorta on Dicrotic Notch of Thoracic Aorta

Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aahad Khan ◽  
Scott Ray ◽  
Syed Haris Pir ◽  
Mustafa Noor Muhammad ◽  
Mirza Mujadil Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Aortic Pressure ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Arterial Calcification ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Dicrotic Notch ◽  
One Year ◽  
Arch Of The Aorta ◽  
Contrast Ct

Background: Dicrotic Notch (DN) is known to dampen with age, with increasing arterial stiffness probably due to arterial calcification. Since arterial calcification has recently been shown to predominantly involve descending thoracic aorta, we hypothesized that calcification in different segments of thoracic aorta will have a different impact on DN. Methods: A sample of 44 patients with invasive thoracic aortic pressure tracings during cardiac catheterization was selected for this study. Non-contrast CT scans were evaluated for presence of calcification in aortic segments (ascending aorta (AA), aortic arch (arch) and descending aorta (DA)) and then quantified. DN was categorized based on aortic pressure tracings into 4 grades. Grade 1 represented normal DN; grades 2, 3 and 4 represented progressively diminishing DN, where grade 4 represented absent DN. Compliance was calculated as a change in stroke volume over aortic pulse pressure with both measurements obtained from echocardiography reports done within one year of catheterization. Results: The mean age of the sample population was 64.6 ± 10.5 years. Out of the 44 patients, 14 (32%) had a calcified AA, 25 (56%) had a calcified DA and n=28 (63%) had a calcified arch. Furthermore, 14 (32%) patients had only one segment calcified, whereas 10 (23%) had two and 11 (25%) had all three segments calcified. Abnormal DN was present in 16 (36%) patients. The odds of having an abnormal DN in the presence of calcified AA were more than 3 times (OR: 3.67; p=0.05). Compliance was higher in those with a normal DN versus those with an abnormal DN (1.64 ml/mmHg vs. 1.21 ml/mmHg) (p = 0.09). There was no significant association between calcification in the DA or arch of aorta. Conclusion: There was no association between dicrotic notch and presence of calcification in the arch of the aorta and descending aorta.

A congenital fistula between the descending aorta and the right pulmonary vein in a neonate presenting with heart failure

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhair O. Shebani ◽  
Mohammad D. Khan ◽  
Magdi A. Tofeig
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Cardiac Failure ◽  
Cardiac Catheterisation ◽  
Newborn Baby ◽  
Descending Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
The Right ◽  
Congenital Fistula

AbstractWe report a large congenital fistula connecting the descending thoracic aorta to the right upper pulmonary vein in a newborn baby presenting on the seventh day of life with cardiac failure and a continuous murmur heard posteriorly. The fistula was detected echocardiographically, and shown at cardiac catheterisation not to be suitable for percutaneous occlusion. The anatomy of the fistula was confirmed at surgery, when it was ligated successfully.

Heart and aorta morphology of the deep-diving hooded seal (Cystophora cristata)

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 2030-2036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles M Drabek ◽  
Jennifer M Burns
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricle ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diving Behavior ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
The Right

An investigation of the heart morphology of 8 male and 15 female hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) revealed that the heart is proportionately large and the aortic bulb is larger than that reported for most seals. Hooded seals of all ages have large hearts (0.64% of the body mass) and the right ventricle is proportionately longer and more muscular than reported for other seals. The bulb of the ascending aorta shows the large-diameter characteristic of seals capable of making long deep dives, and is constricted to a diameter of less than one-third in the descending aorta. In addition, the ascending aorta has a much greater concentration of elastin fibers than does the descending aorta. In combination with the large right ventricle, these features probably serve to increase lung perfusion during the hooded seal's surface recovery, and to maintain a high blood pressure throughout the cardiac cycle during diving bradycardia. That there was no substantive difference in the heart morphology of pups, yearlings, and adults, suggests that these features are important in the development of diving behavior, and agrees with the rapid behavioral and physiological development of hooded seal neonates.

scholarly journals Bioelastic properties of the aorta in children, adolescents and young adults after cardiac transplantation: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Mueller ◽  
K Gummel ◽  
B Reich ◽  
H Latus ◽  
C Jux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Arch ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Cardiac Transplantation ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Aortic Isthmus ◽  
Myocardial T1 ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Background Long-term complications after cardiac transplantation are common and typically include arterial hypertension and coronary allograft vasculopathy. Few studies also suggested that heart transplant recipients have an increased arterial stiffness. Purpose This prospective study aimed to assess the bioelastic properties of the aorta as well as LV function, morphology and structure in children and young adults after cardiac transplantation. Methods CMR studies from 34 patients (median age: 17.1 years, range: 8–24 years) who underwent cardiac transplantation in childhood were analysed. Aortic anatomy and distensibility were assessed at five locations of the thoracic aorta using steady-state free precession cine sequences. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the aortic arch and the descending thoracic aorta was measured from 2-dimensional phase contrast images. Size and function of the left atrium and the ventricles were assessed from a stack of short axis slices. Myocardial T1 times were determined using a standard MOLLI sequence. Results Cross-sectional areas of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch tended to be lower in patients compared to controls (ascending aorta 464.5±172.5 mm2 vs. 515.3±186.3 mm2, aortic arch 342.4±113.3 mm2 vs. 376.9±148.5 mm2) whereas cross-sectional areas of the descending aorta tended to be higher (aortic isthmus 283.7±102.1 mm2 vs. 257.9±89.5 mm2, aorta descendens diaphragmal 218.4±75.8 mm2 vs. 214.2±75.0 mm2) and showed a correlation with systolic blood pressure (r=0.33). PWV was higher in the aortic arch (4.8±2.4 m/s vs. 3.6±0.7 m/s). Aortic distensibility was slightly higher at all measuring points in the study population compared to the control group and showed an increase with rising distance from the heart (ascending aorta 10.5±5.8 10–3 mm Hg-1, aortic isthmus 13.1±7.5 10–3 mm Hg-1, descending aorta 16.6±6.8 10–3 mm Hg-1). Biventricular volumes were slightly reduced in the patient group compared to the control group but this was not statistically significant. Only left ventricular mass messured during the systolic phase was higher in the study population compared to the control group (males 55.1 g/m2 vs. 53.0 g/m2, females 46.2 g/m2 vs. 45.2 g/m2). T1 mapping demonstrated increased T1 times in the heart-transplanted group compared to published data in healthy adults. In particular, T1 times of the lateral and inferior myocardial segments were higher. Conclusion Patients who underwent cardiac transplantation in childhood seem to have a reduced bioelasticity of the thoracic aorta. Increased myocardial T1 times suggesting alterations in myocardial structure. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

scholarly journals Aortic root aneurysm with right atrial clot: a rare combination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debmalya Saha ◽  
Kaushik Mukherjee ◽  
Amrita Guha
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Root ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Poor General Condition ◽  
Aortic Root Aneurysm ◽  
Bentall Procedure ◽  
Clot Removal ◽  
Preoperative Optimization ◽  
The Right

Though the incidence of aneurysms involving the aortic root and/or ascending aorta is common, the combination of aortic root aneurysm and the right atrial clot is extremely rare. No such case is reported in literature till date. This case report presents a 52-year gentleman who came to our emergency department with complaints of breathlessness, abdominal distention, pedal swelling, and decreased urine output with extremely poor general condition. After hemodynamic stabilization and preoperative optimization and workup, he was managed with Bentall procedure with right atrial clot removal. The immediate postoperative course was normal except for deranged liver function tests. The patient was discharged on postoperative day ten.

ARCH Replacement in Acute Aortic Dissection Type a in Normothermia

2001 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-286
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Stiru ◽  
Roxana Carmen Geana ◽  
Adrian Tulin ◽  
Raluca Gabriela Ioan ◽  
Victor Pavel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Aortic Arch ◽  
Acute Aortic Dissection ◽  
Circulatory Arrest ◽  
Type A ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
The Right ◽  
Aortic Dissection Type A

The purpose of this case presentation is to present a simplified surgical technique when in a patient with acute aortic dissection type A (AAD), aortic arch, and ascending aorta is completely replaced without circulatory arrest. A 67-year old male was presented in our institution with severe chest and back pain at 12 h after the onset of the symptoms. Imaging studies by 3D contrast-enhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT-scan) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed ascending aortic dissection towards the aortic arch, which was extending in the proximal descending aorta. We practiced emergency median sternotomy and established cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) between the right atrium and the right femoral artery with successive cross-clamping of the ascending and descending aorta below the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA). In normothermic condition without circulatory arrest and with antegrade cerebral perfusion, we replaced the ascending aorta and aortic arch with a four branched Dacron graft. Patient evolution was uneventful, and he was discharged, after fourteen days from the hospital. At a one-year follow-up, 3D CT-scan showed no residual dissection with a well-circulated lumen of the supra-aortic arteries. Using the described surgical approach, CPB was not interrupted, the brain was protected, and hypothermia was no used. This approach made these surgical procedures shorter, and known complications of hypothermia and circulatory arrest are avoided.Acute aortic dissection aortic type A, total arch replacement, normothermia

The Value of Dual-Source CT in the Diagnosis of Anomalous Origin of Pulmonary Artery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusen Feng ◽  
Pengcheng Ma ◽  
Lijuan Wang ◽  
Guifang Sun ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Main Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Left Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Left Main ◽  
Descending Aorta ◽  
Dual Source ◽  
Inner Diameter ◽  
The Right ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Diameter

Abstract Objective: This study is designed to explore the dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) imaging manifestations of the origin of three rare pulmonary artery abnormalities, and to improve the understanding and diagnosis of the disease.Methods: Collected 30 cases of patients diagnosed by DSCT with pulmonary artery abnormal origins, and retrospectively analyzed their imaging data and postoperative pathological data.Results: Among the 30 patients with abnormal pulmonary artery origin, 16 patients were with unilateral pulmonary artery absence (UAPA), 8 patients were with anomalous origin of unilateral pulmonary artery (AOPA), and 6 patients were left pulmonary artery suspension (LPAS). The diagnosis rate of DSCT is significantly higher than that of echocardiography. The results of DSCT imaging showed that the inner diameter of the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and the descending aorta of UAPA patients were significantly larger than those of LPAS patients (P<0.05). Compared with AOPA patients, the left pulmonary artery diameter, the ratio of the left main pulmonary artery diameter to the main pulmonary artery diameter, and ratio of the left main pulmonary artery diameter to the right main pulmonary artery diameter were significantly increased in UAPA patients (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ratio of the inner diameter of the ascending aorta to the descending aorta in patients with UAPA, AOPA and LPAS. Compared with UAPA patients, AOPA patients had no significant changes in the inner diameter of the main pulmonary artery, the inner diameter of the right main pulmonary artery, and the ratio of the inner diameter of the right main pulmonary artery to the main pulmonary artery.Conclusion: DSCT can be used to diagnose the origin of pulmonary artery abnormalities and distinguish its types.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document