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Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
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Ascending Aorta Aneurysm: What the Cardiologist Needs to Know
Antonis A Manolis1, Theodora A Manolis2, Apostolos Vouliotis3
1Department of Medicine, Elpis General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Angiology
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are serious conditions that can rupture. Genetic factors like JAK2V617F may play a role, and an aortic height index (AHI) over 2.9 cm/m suggests referral for risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Genetics
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) involve aortic root or ascending aorta dilation, often diagnosed incidentally.
- TAAs are potentially life-threatening due to rupture risk, with pooled incidence and prevalence of 5.3/100,000 person-years and 0.16% respectively.
- Genetic factors, including the JAK2V617F mutation, are linked to TAA development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail issues concerning ascending aorta aneurysms.
- To discuss and tabulate results from meta-analyses of relevant studies.
- To describe aneurysm types, ascending aorta diseases, and surgical repair techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review and meta-analysis of existing studies on thoracic aortic aneurysms.
- Discussion of genetic links, including the JAK2V617F sequence variation.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria, such as the aortic height index (AHI).
Main Results:
- TAAs are heritable in 10-20% of cases, with unknown origins in others.
- The pooled incidence of ruptured aneurysms is estimated at 1.6 per 100,000 individuals/year.
- An aortic height index (AHI) exceeding 2.9 cm/m is proposed as a referral criterion.
Conclusions:
- Patients with TAAs require multidisciplinary risk assessment, especially those with elevated AHI.
- Understanding genetic predispositions like JAK2V617F is crucial for TAA management.
- Comprehensive review covers TAA pathologies, diagnostics, and surgical interventions.
Keywords:
Marfan syndromeTurner syndromeacute aortic syndromesaortic aneurysmaortic atherosclerosisaortic diseaseaortic dissectionaortic rootascending aortamagnetic resonance imagingruptured aneurysmsurgical repair of aortic aneurysmthoracic aortathoracic endovascular aortic repairtransesophageal echocardiography
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