Observation of an Asymptomatic Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm Using Non-Obstructive Angioscopy

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Interventional Cardiology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Non-obstructive angioscopy is an emerging technique for assessing aortic intimal atheromatous plaques.
• Coronary artery disease management often involves percutaneous coronary intervention.

Observation:

• A 77-year-old male patient with coronary artery disease underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Non-obstructive angioscopy was employed to evaluate aortic atheromatous plaques post-procedure.
• An incidental diagnosis of an aortic dissecting aneurysm was made during the angioscopy.

Findings:

• Non-obstructive angioscopy identified severe atheromatous plaques with a significant fissure at the entry site of the aortic dissection.
• Enhanced computed tomography confirmed the aortic dissection, correlating with angioscopic findings.

Implications:

• This case represents the first in vivo description of aortic intimal findings in an aortic dissecting aneurysm using trans-catheter angioscopy.
• Non-obstructive angioscopy may offer a valuable tool for characterizing aortic pathology, including dissection.
• Further research could explore the utility of angioscopy in diagnosing and managing aortic dissections.