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Diameters of the thoracic aorta throughout life as measured with helical computed tomography
Alfred Hager1, Harald Kaemmerer, Ulrike Rapp-Bernhardt
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, München, Germany. hager@dhm.mhn.de
Insights
This study establishes normal thoracic aorta diameters using helical computed tomography in adults. Diameters vary by sex and increase with age, providing crucial reference data.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- Helical computed tomography (CT) is standard for thoracic aorta evaluation.
- Normal diameter values and age-related changes are not well-defined using this method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal intrathoracic aortic diameters in adults using helical CT.
- To investigate the influence of age and sex on these diameters.
Main Methods:
- Seventy healthy adults (17-89 years) underwent helical CT.
- Aortic diameters were measured at seven specific thoracic levels.
Main Results:
- Normal diameters were established at multiple thoracic levels.
- Men exhibited slightly larger diameters than women.
- All aortic diameters increased with age, independent of weight, height, or body surface area.
Conclusions:
- This study provides reference normal values for thoracic aortic diameters via helical CT.
- Age and sex are significant factors influencing these dimensions.
- Pathologic aortic dimensions should be reported using percentiles or z-scores for better clinical interpretation.
Objective:
The use of helical computed tomography is well established in the evaluation of the thoracic aorta. Nevertheless, normal diameters and their changes during adult life according to this method are not available. We planned to set up normal diameters for the thoracic aorta of adults obtained by helical computed tomography.
Methods:
Seventy adults, 17 to 89 years old, without any signs of cardiovascular disease were investigated with helical computed tomography. Aortic diameters were measured at seven predefined thoracic levels.
Results:
Aortic diameters (mean +/- SD) were 2.98 +/- 0.46 cm at the aortic valve sinus, 3.09 +/- 0.41 cm at the ascending aorta, 2.94 +/- 0.42 cm proximal to the innominate artery, 2.77 +/- 0.37 cm at the proximal transverse arch, 2.61 +/- 0.41 cm at the distal transverse arch, 2.47 +/- 0.40 cm at the isthmus, and 2.43 +/- 0.35 cm at the diaphragm. Men had slightly longer diameters than did women. All diameters increased with age. There was no influence of weight, height, or body surface area. After normalization to the diameter at diaphragmatic level, no statistically significantly influential factor could be detected.
Conclusions:
This study delineates normal intrathoracic aortic diameters for helical computed tomography, including relationships with sex and age. Pathologic dimensions of the aorta should preferably be provided as percentiles or z scores.