Diseases of the aorta

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Evangelista ◽  
Eduardo Bossone ◽  
Alain Nchimi
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Aortic Diseases

Echocardiography plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of aortic diseases. Evaluation of the aorta is a routine part of the standard echocardiographic examination. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) permits adequate assessment of several aortic segments, particularly the aortic root and proximal ascending aorta. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) overcomes the limitations of TTE in thoracic aorta assessment. TTE and TOE should be used in a complementary manner. Echocardiography is useful for assessing aorta size, biophysical properties, and atherosclerotic involvement of the thoracic aorta. TTE appears to suffice for aortic root assessment. TOE is the gold standard in thoracic aorta assessment. It provides excellent morphological information on aortic dissection and is superior to TTE in the diagnosis of intramural haematomas and aortic ulcers. TTE may be used as the initial modality in the emergency setting. Intimal flap in proximal ascending aorta, pericardial effusion/tamponade, and left ventricular function can be easily visualized by TTE. However, a negative TTE does not rule out aortic dissection and other imaging techniques must be considered. TOE should define entry tear location, mechanisms and severity of aortic regurgitation, and true lumen compression. In addition, echocardiography is essential in selecting and monitoring surgical and endovascular treatment and in detecting possible complications. Although other imaging techniques have a greater field of view and may yield complementary information, echocardiography is portable, rapid, accurate and cost-effective in the diagnosis and follow-up of most aortic diseases.

Diseases of the aorta

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Evangelista ◽  
T. González-Alujas
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Aortic Diseases

Evaluation of the aorta is a routine part of the standard echocardiographic examination, because echocardiography plays an important role both in the diagnosis and follow-up of aortic diseases. In particular, echocardiography is useful for assessing aorta size, biophysical properties, and atherosclerotic involvement of the thoracic aorta.Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) permits adequate assessment of several aortic segments, particularly the aortic root and proximal ascending aorta. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) overcomes the limitations of TTE in thoracic aorta assessment, so TTE and TOE should be used in a complementary manner.Although TOE is the technique of choice in the diagnosis of aortic dissection, TTE may be used as the initial modality in the emergency setting. Intimal flap in proximal ascending aorta, pericardial effusion/tamponade, and left ventricular function can be easily visualized by TTE. However, a negative TTE does not rule out aortic dissection and other imaging techniques must be considered. TOE should define entry tear location, mechanisms of aortic regurgitation, and true lumen compression.In addition, echocardiography is essential in selecting and monitoring surgical and endovascular treatment and in detecting possible complications. Although other imaging techniques have a greater field of view, echocardiography is portable, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective in the diagnosis and follow-up of most aortic diseases.

The role of echocardiography

2021 ◽  
pp. 747-755
Author(s):  
Arturo Evangelista ◽  
Gisela Teixidó-Turà
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Aortic Diseases ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination

Echocardiography plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of aortic diseases. Evaluation of the aorta is a routine part of the echocardiographic examination. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an excellent modality for imaging the aortic proximal ascending aorta, which is important in the diagnosis and follow-up of aorta aneurysms. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) overcomes the limitations of TTE in thoracic aorta assessment. Although TEE is the technique of choice in the diagnosis of aortic dissection, TTE may be used as the initial modality in the emergency setting. Intimal flap in proximal ascending aorta, pericardial effusion/tamponade, and left ventricular function can be easily visualized by TTE. However, a negative TTE does not rule out aortic dissection and other imaging techniques must be considered. TEE should define entry tear size and location, mechanisms and severity of aortic regurgitation, and true lumen compression. TEE is essential in selecting and monitoring surgical and endovascular treatment and in detecting possible complications.

scholarly journals Increased aortic root diameters in patients with acromegaly

2008 ◽  
Vol 159 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agatha A van der Klaauw ◽  
Jeroen J Bax ◽  
Johannes W A Smit ◽  
Eduard R Holman ◽  
Victoria Delgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Root ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Inactive Disease ◽  
Valvular Regurgitation ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Aortic Sinus ◽  
Sinotubular Junction

ObjectiveThe clinical manifestations of acromegalic cardiomyopathy include arrhythmias, valvular regurgitation, concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. At present, it is unknown whether acromegaly also affects the aortic root.DesignAortic root diameters were prospectively assessed in 37 acromegalic patients (18 patients with active disease and 19 with controlled disease) by conventional two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography before, and after, an observation period of 1.9 years (range 1.5–3.0 years). Baseline parameters were compared with healthy controls.ResultsThe diameters of the aortic root at the sino-tubular junction and the ascending aorta were increased in patients with acromegaly: 30±4 vs 26±3 mm (P=0.0001) and 33±5 vs 30±4 mm (P=0.006) respectively. The diameter of the aortic root at the aortic annulus and aortic sinus were not different from controls. During follow-up, the aortic root diameters increased at the levels of the annulus and the sinotubular junction (P=0.025 and P=0.024 respectively), whereas there was no change in the diameters at the levels of the sinus and the ascending aorta during follow-up. Baseline aortic root diameters were not influenced by disease duration, current disease activity, or blood pressure. When patients with active and inactive disease were analyzed separately, only the diameter of the sinotubular junction increased in patients with inactive acromegaly during follow-up (P=0.031).ConclusionAortic root diameters are increased in patients with acromegaly compared with healthy controls.

scholarly journals Contemporary outcomes of composite aortic root replacement in elderly patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-450
Author(s):  
Homare Okamura ◽  
Mamoru Arakawa ◽  
Naoyuki Kimura ◽  
Koichi Yuri ◽  
Atsushi Yamaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Aortic Root Replacement ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Figure 4: OBJECTIVES We investigated the clinical and haemodynamic outcomes in elderly patients undergoing composite aortic root replacement. METHODS Between 2005 and 2017, 135 patients underwent aortic root surgery at our hospital. Of these 135 patients, 47 patients aged ≥65 years were included in this study. Pathologies included aneurysms in 31, chronic aortic dissection in 6, acute aortic dissection in 4 and other causes in 6 patients. A bioprosthesis was used in 27 and a mechanical valve in 20 patients. The mean age was 71.0 ± 4.3 years. The mean follow-up period was 61 ± 35 months. Follow-up echocardiographic data (average 48 months after surgery) were collected in 35 patients (74%). RESULTS The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.1% (1 patient). Seven late deaths occurred during follow-up. The 1-, 5- and 8-year overall survival was 93.6%, 82.9% and 82.9%, respectively. Infective endocarditis, Marfan syndrome and diabetes were independent predictors of poorer survival. During the follow-up, thromboembolism occurred in 1 patient, major bleeding events in 5 patients, or proximal reoperation for prosthetic valve endocarditis in 1 patient. The type of valve, mechanical or biological valve, did not affect late mortality and morbidity. Follow-up echocardiography revealed significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction compared with that at discharge. CONCLUSIONS Composite aortic root replacement provided satisfactory midterm outcomes in patients aged ≥65 years. Further studies with a longer follow-up are warranted to evaluate late valve-related events.

scholarly journals Are Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta Diameters Measured by the Pediatric Versus the Adult American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines Interchangeable?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 5290
Author(s):  
Maria Luz Servato ◽  
Gisela Teixidó-Turá ◽  
Anna Sabate-Rotes ◽  
Laura Galian-Gay ◽  
Laura Gutiérrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Root ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Aortic Diseases ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
American Society ◽  
Aorta Diameter ◽  
Significant Underestimation

Ascending aorta diameters have important clinical value in the diagnosis, follow-up, and surgical indication of many aortic diseases. However, there is no uniformity among experts regarding ascending aorta diameter quantification by echocardiography. The aim of this study was to compare maximum aortic root and ascending aorta diameters determined by the diastolic leading edge (DLE) and the systolic inner edge (SIE) conventions in adult and pediatric patients with inherited cardiovascular diseases. Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed in 328 consecutive patients (260 adults and 68 children). Aorta diameters were measured twice at the root and ascending aorta by the DLE convention following the 2015 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) adult guidelines and the SIE convention following the 2010 ASE pediatric guidelines. Comparison of the diameters measured by the two conventions in the overall population showed a non-significant underestimation of the diameter measured by the SIE convention at root level of 0.28 mm (CI -1.36; 1.93) and at tubular ascending aorta level of 0.17 mm (CI-1.69; 2.03). Intraobserver and interobserver variability were excellent. Maximum aorta diameter measured by the leading edge convention in end-diastole and the inner edge convention in mid-systole had similar values to a mild non-significant underestimation of the inner-to-inner method that permits them to be interchangeable when used in clinical practice.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Aortic dissection during transoesophageal echocardiography: a case report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rin Hoshina ◽  
Hideyuki Kishima ◽  
Takanao Mine ◽  
Masaharu Ishihara
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Right Coronary Artery ◽  
Bypass Graft ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Abnormal Finding ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a safe and useful tool. In our case, we are presenting a rare case of a patient with aortic dissection during TOE procedure. Case summary A 79-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with palpitation. Pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) showed slight dilated ascending aorta (maximum diameter: 40 mm). We decided to perform catheter ablation (CA) for AF, and recommended TOE before the CA because she had a CHADS2 score of 4. On the day before the CA, TOE was performed. Her physical examinations at the time of TOE procedure were unremarkable. At 3 min after probe insertion, there was no abnormal finding of the ascending aorta. At 5 min after the insertion, TOE showed ascending aortic dissection without pericardial effusion. After waking, she had severe back pain and underwent a contrast-enhanced CT. Computed tomography demonstrated Stanford type A aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the bifurcation of common iliac arteries, and tight stenosis in the right coronary artery (maximum diameter; 49 mm). The patient underwent a replacement of the ascending aorta, and a coronary artery bypass graft surgery for the right coronary artery. Discussion Transoesophageal echocardiography would have to be performed under sufficient sedation with continuous blood pressure monitoring in patients who have risk factors of aortic dissection. The risk–benefit of TOE must be considered before a decision is made. Depending on the situation, another modality instead of TOE might be required.

Bentall–de Bono procedure for acute aortic dissection

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Acute Aortic Dissection ◽  
Aortic Surgery ◽  
Acute Type ◽  
Aortic Diseases ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Aortic Replacement ◽  
Ascending Aortic Replacement ◽  
Valve Sparing

We present a patient with an acute type A aortic dissection that involves the aortic root. The high mortality of patients with this condition is often associated with operations performed by surgeons with minimal experience dealing with aortic diseases. Therefore, less-experienced surgeons often opt for less complicated techniques like supracoronary ascending aortic replacement. However, according to the latest guidelines for the management of aortic diseases, the aortic root should be replaced when it is compromised by the dissection. The Bentall–de Bono technique treats the aortic root and demands less experience than valve-sparing aortic surgery.

scholarly journals Surgery for Aortic Root Abscess: A 15-Year Experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaan Kirali ◽  
Sabit Sarikaya ◽  
Yucel Ozen ◽  
Hakan Sacli ◽  
Eylul Basaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valve Replacement ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis ◽  
Composite Graft ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Surgical Reconstruction ◽  
Pericardial Patch ◽  
Aortic Root Abscess

Aortic root abscess is the most severe sequela of infective endocarditis, and its surgical management is a complicated procedure because of the high risk of morbidity and death. Twenty-seven patients were included in this 15-year retrospective study: 21 (77.8%) with native- and 6 (22.2%) with prosthetic-valve endocarditis. The surgical reconstruction of the aortic root consisted of aortic valve replacement in 19 patients (70.4%) with (11) or without (8) a pericardial patch, or total aortic root replacement in 7 patients (25.9%); 5 of the 27 (18.5%) underwent the modified Bentall procedure with the flanged conduit. Only one patient (3.7%) underwent subaortic pericardial patch reconstruction without valve replacement. A total of 7 patients (25.9%) underwent reoperation: 6 with prior valve surgery, and 1 with prior isolated sinus of Valsalva repair. The mean follow-up period was 6.8 ± 3.7 years. There were 6 (22.2%) in-hospital deaths, 3 (11.1%) of which were perioperative, among patients who underwent emergent surgery. Five patients (23.8%) died during follow-up, and the overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 70.3% ± 5.8%, 62.9% ± 6.4%, and 59.2% ± 7.2%, respectively. Two of 21 patients (9.5%) underwent reoperation because of paravalvular leakage and early recurrence of infection during follow-up. After complete resection of the perianular abscess, replacement of the aortic root can be implemented for reconstruction of the aortic root, with or without left ventricular outflow tract injuries. Replacing the aortic root with a flanged composite graft might provide the best anatomic fit.

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