Aortic arch vessel disease and rationale for echocardiographic screening

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Atherosclerosis affecting the aortic arch's proximal branches presents significant clinical challenges.
• Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of aortic arch vessel disease are linked to increased mortality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the clinical significance of aortic arch vessel disease.
• To review the utility of intrathoracic duplex imaging for noninvasive detection and management.
• To address the lack of comprehensive resources on ultrasonographic evaluation of supra-aortic trunk vessels.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical data on aortic arch vessel disease.
• Validation of intrathoracic duplex imaging as an accurate noninvasive diagnostic tool.
• Integration of duplex techniques into routine echocardiography.

Main Results:

• Intrathoracic duplex imaging accurately detects, characterizes, and monitors aortic arch vessel disease.
• Duplex imaging can be readily incorporated into standard echocardiography protocols.
• This review provides a resource for understanding relevant anatomy, pathophysiology, and diagnostic surveillance.

Conclusions:

• Direct, noninvasive detection of aortic arch atherosclerosis is clinically crucial.
• Intrathoracic duplex imaging is a valuable tool for managing aortic arch vessel disease.
• Enhanced training and resource availability can facilitate the adoption of arch vessel duplex imaging in echocardiography practices.