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Published on: February 23, 2020
Aortic growth rates in chronic aortic dissection.
1Department of Radiology, Division of Thoracic Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. ainekell@med.umich.edu
Clinical Radiology
|July 31, 2007
Summary
Descending aortic dissection shows significant enlargement, primarily in the false lumen, over time. Non-operated patients experienced greater aortic enlargement compared to those with proximal aortic grafts.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Chronic aortic dissection involving the descending aorta is a serious condition.
- Understanding aortic enlargement patterns is crucial for patient management.
- Proximal aortic grafts are used in treating certain aortic dissections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the rates of descending aortic enlargement in patients with chronic aortic dissection.
- To evaluate the incidence of complications in patients with and without proximal aortic grafts.
- To determine the impact of surgical intervention on aortic diameter changes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 52 patients with descending aortic dissection.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to measure aortic diameters (short axis, false lumen, true lumen) over time.
- Follow-up ranged from 1 to 123 months, with 24 non-operated and 28 operated patients.
Main Results:
- Both non-operated and operated patients showed significant increases in aortic diameters, mainly due to false lumen expansion.
- Aortic enlargement rates were significantly higher in non-operated patients compared to operated patients.
- Aortic complications occurred in 10 patients (4 non-operated, 6 operated).
Conclusions:
- The false lumen in descending thoracic aortic dissections expands at a constant rate over time.
- Non-operated patients exhibit greater aortic enlargement than those who have undergone proximal aortic grafting.
- These findings have implications for monitoring and managing patients with chronic aortic dissection.
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