Different clinical features of aortic intramural hematoma versus dissection involving the descending thoracic aorta

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the absence of flow communication in aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) involving the descending aorta may have a different clinical course compared with aortic dissection (AD). METHODS: We prospectively evaluated clinical and echocardiographic data in AD (76 patients) and IMH (27 patients) of the descending thoracic aorta. RESULTS: Patients did not differ with regard to age, gender, or clinical presentation. IMH and AD had the same predictors of complications at follow-up: aortic diameter (>5 cm) at diagnosis and persistent back pain. Surgical treatment was more frequently selected in AD (39% vs. 22%, P < 0.01) and AD patients who underwent surgical treatment had higher mortality than those with IMH (36% vs. 17%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in mortality with medical treatment (14% in AD vs. 19% in IMH, P = 0.7). During follow-up, of 23 patients with IMH, 11 (47%) showed complete resolution or regression, 6 (26%) increased the diameter of the descending aorta, and typical AD developed in 3 patients (13%). No changes occurred in 14% of the group. Three-year survival rate did not show significant differences between both groups (82 +/- 6% in IMH vs. 75 +/- 7% in AD, P = 0.37). CONCLUSION: IMH of the descending thoracic aorta has a relatively frequent rate of complications at follow-up, including dissection and aneurysm formation. Medical treatment with very frequent imaging and timed elective surgery in cases with complications allows a better patient management.     

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissectionwas investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aortaat the lime of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracicechocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patientswere identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 withoutdissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical(6·0±1·3 cm in group 1 and 6·4±1·4cm in group 2; mean±SD; ns) as were the indexed aorticdiameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3·2±0·8cm . m^–12 and 3·4±0·7cm m^–2respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showeda pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3·6±11·0cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically.Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all withacute type A dissection) andelective repair in 21/66 (19 withoutand two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortalitywas 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta havea substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinicalcourse is unpredictable; acute dissection occurs in some, andin others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection.Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for electiverepair andhave to be operated on as emergencies with a higheroperative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameterof the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissectionwas investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aortaat the lime of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracicechocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patientswere identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 withoutdissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical(6·0±1·3 cm in group 1 and 6·4±1·4cm in group 2; mean±SD; ns) as were the indexed aorticdiameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3·2±0·8cm . m^–12 and 3·4±0·7cm m^–2respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showeda pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3·6±11·0cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically.Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all withacute type A dissection) andelective repair in 21/66 (19 withoutand two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortalitywas 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta havea substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinicalcourse is unpredictable; acute dissection occurs in some, andin others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection.Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for electiverepair andhave to be operated on as emergencies with a higheroperative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameterof the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter.

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissection was investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aorta at the time of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patients were identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 without dissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical (6.0 +/- 1.3 cm in group 1 and 6.4 +/- 1.4 cm in group 2; mean +/- SD; ns) as were the indexed aortic diameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3.2 +/- 0.8 cm.m-2 and 3.4 +/- 0.7 cm.m-2, respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showed a pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3.6 +/- 11.0 cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19 without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically. Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all with acute type A dissection) and elective repair in 21/66 (19 without and two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortality was 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and 57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta have a substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinical course is unpredictable: acute dissection occurs in some, and in others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection. Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for elective repair and have to be operated on as emergencies with a higher operative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameter of the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

Comparative evaluation of TEE, conventional MRI and contrast-enhanced 3D breath-hold MRA in the post-operative follow-up of dissecting aneurysms

Purpose: To verify the diagnostic potentialities of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), breath-hold 3D contrast enhanced MR angiography (C3D MRA) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients surgically treated for type A aortic dissection. Materials and methods: Twenty-nine patients (21 males and 8 females), surgically treated for type A aortic dissection, were evaluated with MRI using a 1.5 T (GE Horizon Echospeed 8.2) with standard gated SE sequences and breath-hold 3D fast SPGR after intravenous Gd injection (0.2 mmol/kg). 3D MIP reconstruction was obtained. TEE evaluation was performed with a HP 2000 system and a biplane 5 MHz probe. The sizes of aortic root, distal anastomosis, descending aorta and periprosthetic thickening were measured. Regional false lumen and aortic branch involvement were also evaluated. Results: Concordance among TEE, conventional MRI and C3D MRA was observed in the evaluation of aortic root (MRI vs. C3D MRA r = 0.93; MRI vs. TEE r = 0.84; C3D MRA vs. TEE r = 0.84) and descending aorta (r = 0.94, 0.91 and 0.92, respectively). The interobserver variability was also very low. Inadequate agreement was observed for distal anastomosis. C3D MRA was inadequate in the evaluation of periprosthetic thickening; r = 0.73 was obtained between MRI and TEE. For qualitative data: TEE was inadequate in the evaluation of the abdominal aorta and branches. C3D MRA depicted supra-aortic vessel involvement in more cases than the other techniques. Conclusion: C3D MRA is a fast and accurate technique in the evaluation of the endoluminal alterations and involvement of the aortic branches. Conventional MRI allows a direct evaluation of the aortic wall and periaortic tissue. TEE is less accurate in the evaluation of aortic branches and abdominal aorta.     

Comparison of conventional and transesophageal echocardiography with magnetic resonance imaging for anatomical mapping of thoracic aortic dissection

Thirty-five consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection were subjected to a dual noninvasive imaging protocol using comprehensive echocardiography and ECG-triggered MRI with multi-slice spin echo and cine sequences in random order. The purpose of this dual imaging study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography using the conventional transthoracic (TTE) and the transesophageal approach (TEE) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the exact morphologic evaluation and anatomical mapping of the thoracic aorta. The results of each diagnostic method were validated independently against the gold standard of intraoperative findings (n=17), necropsy (n=4) or contrast angiography (n=22).Compared to conventional transthoracic echocardiography both TEE and MRI were more reliable in detecting aortic dissections (TTE vs TEE: p<0.02; TTE vs MRI: p<0.01) and associated epiphenomena. Moreover, the reliability of TTE decreased significantly from proximal to distal segments of the aorta, e.g. from the ascending segment to the arch (p<0.05) and to the descending aorta (p<0.005), whereas the sensitivities of both TEE and MRI were excellent irrespective of the site of dissection. With regard to epiphenomena such as thrombus formation and entry location, MRI emerged as the optimal method for detailed morphologic information in all segments of the aorta. No serious side effects were encountered with either method.Thus, in patients with suspected acute or subacute aortic dissections the echocardiographic assessment should include the transesophageal approach for significant improvement of the moderate sensitivity and specificity of TTE. Both TEE and MRI are non-traumatic, safe and diagnostically accurate to identify and classify acute and subacute dissections of the thoracic aorta irrespective of their location. MRI provides superb anatomical mapping of all type A and B dissections and more detailed information on the site of entry and thrombus formation than TEE. These features of TEE and MRI may render retrograde contrast angiography obsolete in the setting of thoracic aortic dissection and may encourage surgical interventions exclusively on the basis of noninvasive imaging.     

急性主动脉夹层分离C反应蛋白浓度变化的临床意义

目的:探讨急性主动脉夹层分离(acute aortic dissection,AAD)患者血清C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein, CPR)水平与病情程度及预后的关系。方法:测定44例AAD患者血清CRP浓度,根据血清CRP增高的程度和持续时间将44例患者分为A、B两组。A组:26例,CRP峰值≥30 mg/L且持续≥两天;B:组18例,CRP<30 mg/L, 其中有2例CRP峰值>30 mg/L,但持续少于两天。分析血清CPR浓度与病情程度及预后的关系。结果:44例AAD 患者CPR浓度均增高,A组中发生夹层继续分离及住院期间死亡率明显高于B组(30.7%对5.5%和23.1%对0%), 差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:急性主动脉夹层分离患者血清中的CPR含量与病情程度及预后有关。     

Echocardiography in the diagnosis of thoracic aortic pathology

Transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography has been well established as a useful technique for evaluating many pathologic processes affecting the thoracic aorta. However, the distance of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta from the chest wall and the interposition of highly attenuating lung and highly reflective mediastinal structures between the transducer and the aorta present unavoidable limitations. Transesophageal echocardiography is a relatively new technology that overcomes many of the inherent limitations with transthoracic imaging. Complete echocardiographic evaluation of the entire thoracic aorta can now be achieved in nearly all patients. This article will review the continually expanding role of echocardiography in the evaluation of thoracic aortic pathology, including the dramatic impact of transesophageal imaging on the diagnosis of life-threatening disorders such as aortic dissection.     

Retrograde aortic dissection during cardiopulmonary bypass

Femoral artery perfusion for cardiopulmonary bypass is still employed for reoperation, procedures involving the thoracic aorta, and partial bypass in critical patients. Retrograde aortic dissection is the most significant complication of femoral perfusion. The reported incidence is from 0.6% to 14% with a mortality of 66%. Most of the deaths occurred in patients in whom the dissection was not recognized, or in whom the dissection was recognized but not treated appropriately. Our experience with retrograde dissection totals six patients of 640 (0.9%) in whom femoral inflow was used. Four of the six patients survived the dissection. Sudden increase in extracorporeal line pressure shortly after beginning cardiopulmonary bypass associated with decreased venous return, dampened radial arterial pressure, and the abrupt appearance of a bluish, bulging ascending aorta establishes the diagnosis. Survival is enhanced if cardiopulmonary bypass is promptly discontinued, aortic cannulation established, and bypass reinstituted with the induction of profound hypothermia. Circulatory arrest may then be employed to repair the false passage. In this series the proposed operation was completed in all six patients.     

A case report on asymptomatic ascending aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is a relatively rare but dreadful illness, often presenting with tearing chest pain and acute hemodynamic compromise. Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment are essential for survival. In the present review, a rare case of an asymptomatic ascending aortic dissection is reported. The general clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of aortic dissection will also be reviewed.     

广州市主动脉夹层临床特征变化趋势十年回顾性分析

目的探讨广州市10年来主动脉夹层的临床特征变化趋势。方法回顾分析广东省心血管病研究所1996年1月—2005年12月10年间连续收治并经影像学检查确诊为主动脉夹层的患者,对每年患者的总数、年龄、性别、夹层类型、治疗方法和疾病预后进行统计和组间的比较分析。结果10年共确诊主动脉夹层339例,发病平均年龄（55．7±11．2）岁,男女之比为4．75：1。243例（71．7％）患者出院诊断合并高血压病,177例（52．2％）患者有明确的大量吸烟史。Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型夹层构成比分别为32．3％、5．1％、62．6％。广州市急性A型主动脉夹层住院病死率35．3％,急性B型主动脉夹层住院病死率8．0％。在两个五年周期中,主动脉夹层病例增加了165％。Ⅰ型夹层增长最快,为270％。平均发病年龄无显著变化。广州市急性主动脉夹层病例1年预后呈现改善趋势,但未达统计学意义。结论主动脉夹层的住院患者在迅速增多,平均发病年龄明显低于国外报道;男性比例高于国外报道。急性主动脉夹层A型住院病死率高于国外报道的数据。在疾病流行的大背景下,急性主动脉夹层1年预后呈现改善趋势。在主动脉夹层的预防与治疗方面亟待更多的关注与探索。     

Multiple carotid stenting for extended thoracic aorta dissection after initial aortic surgical repair

Acute aortic dissection is one of the most common catastrophes affecting the aorta. Aortic branch occlusion occurs in up to one third of patients with aortic dissection and is associated with increased risk for early death and serious complications. A 67-year-old man without history of cardiovascular disease was referred to our center for acute aortic type A dissection and was treated with a 28-mm Vasculteck prosthesis. During the early postoperative period, he felt left hemiparesis, and an angio-computed tomography showed a progression of the dissection to the right common carotid artery and left brachiocephalic trunk: the abdominal aorta with the celiac trunk. We felt that the patient should receive conservative management, except for the carotid involvement, for which an endovascular approach was planned. After carefully engaging the carotid ostia with a modified no-touch technique, a self-expandable stent and a balloon-expandable stent were deployed to seal the left common and internal carotid artery dissection, whereas two self-expandable stents were implanted within the right internal carotid artery. Angiographic control demonstrated complete sealing of the carotid dissections. The patient recovered quickly after the intervention and was discharged after 2 days without any neurologic or vascular complication. The patient did extremely well at two 3-month follow-ups, and coverage of the descending thoracic aorta dissection was scheduled to be performed in the next 2 months. This case suggests that endovascular techniques may offer a reliable and effective answer to extended dissections, helping decrease the risk for neurologic or visceral complications and reducing the operative risk for further complete surgical or endovascular aortic repair.     

Combined use of aortic dissection detection risk score and D-dimer in the diagnostic workup of suspected acute aortic dissection

Background

Acute aortic dissection (AD) represents a diagnostic conundrum. Validated algorithms are particularly needed to identify patients where AD could be ruled out without aortic imaging. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a strategy combining the aortic dissection detection (ADD) risk score with D-dimer, a sensitive biomarker of AD.

Methods

Patients from two clinical centers with suspected AD were prospectively enrolled in a registry, from January 2008 to March 2013. The ADD risk score was calculated by retrospective blinded chart review. For D-dimer, a cutoff of 500 ng/ml was applied.

Results

AD was diagnosed in 233 of 1035 (22.5%) patients. The ADD risk score was 0 in 322 (31.1%), 1 in 508 (49.1%) and > 1 in 205 (19.8%) patients. The sensitivity and the failure rate of D-dimer were 100% and 0% in patients with ADD score 0, versus 97.5% (95% CI 91.4–99.6%) and 4.2% (95% CI 0.7–12.5%) in patients with ADD risk score > 1. In patients with ADD risk score ≤ 1, the sensitivity and the failure rate of D-dimer were 98.7% (95% CI 95.3–99.8%) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.1–2.6%). The diagnostic efficiency of D-dimer in patients with ADD risk score 0 and ≤ 1 was 8.9% (95% CI 7.2–10.7%) and 23.6% (95% CI 21.1–26.2%) respectively.

Conclusions

In a large cohort of patients with suspected AD, the presence of ADD risk score 0 or ≤ 1 combined with a negative D-dimer accurately and efficiently ruled out AD.     

血浆D-二聚体在急性主动脉夹层诊断中的价值

目的探讨血浆D-二聚体在急性主动脉夹层诊断中的价值。方法回顾分析2005年1月至2011年10月在我院确诊的69例急性主动脉夹层患者（简称主动脉夹层组）、同期70例急性肺栓塞患者（肺栓塞组）和70例因胸痛住院的其他患者（胸痛组）的血浆D-二聚体等临床资料,比较D-二聚体在不同类型患者中的水平差异,分析D-二聚体水平与急性主动脉夹层预后的关系。结果所有急性主动脉夹层患者D-二聚体均超过500μg／L,敏感性100％;死亡患者血浆D-二聚体浓度高于存活患者（P〈0．05）。血浆D-二聚体浓度主动脉夹层组、肺栓塞组和胸痛组分别为（3479．2±2200．0）μg／L、（1560．7±940．0）μg／L和（179．8±167．0）txg／L,三组比较P〈0．01,每两组比较P〈0．05。结论急性主动脉夹层患者血浆D-二聚体明显升高,其平均浓度超过急性肺栓塞患者。D-二聚体阴性有助于排除急性主动脉夹层的诊断;D二聚体升高对判断预后有-定的指导价值。     

Cardiac catheterization and selective coronary angiography in ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography can be technically demanding and is potentially risky in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection. We describe our approach to and results in catheterizing 63 patients with ascending aortic pathology. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..     

Accuracy of M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection: an experience with 128 cases

The accuracy of combined M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection was evaluated in 673 patients with a clinical suspicion of aortic dissection, over a six-year period. In 128 cases, the diagnosis of aortic dissection was confirmed by angiographic, tomographic (CT scan), or autopsy findings, or during surgery. Two echocardiographic features were found to support a diagnosis of aortic dissection: a dilation of at least one segment of the aorta (sensitivity 95%, specificity 51%) and a typical abnormal linear intraluminal echo corresponding to the intimal flap (sensitivity 67%, specificity 100%). This pathognomonic intimal flap was observed in 86 cases, of which three types could be distinguished: (1) a long oscillating flap (n = 15), (2) a long but minimally mobile linear echo which was duplicated and parallel to one or two aortic walls (n = 64), (3) a short, double linear image with a rapid systolic motion and high frequency oscillations. These features were found to have a high sensitivity in type I aortic dissection (88%), although in types II and III the sensitivity was much lower. In some cases, a fourth type of abnormal image could be detected: a small intraluminal echo moving in parallel to the aortic wall. This feature should be interpreted with caution since its predictive value for a positive examination was low (48%). Out of 23 cases in which the diagnosis of aortic dissection was suspected on the basis of this doubtful abnormal echo, it was confirmed in only 11 patients. The results in these 128 cases of aortic dissection indicate that two-dimensional echocardiography, which is easily performed at the patient's bedside, could take priority in investigations of this condition. It is extremely sensitive in the diagnosis of ascending aortic dissection, but much less so in the diagnosis of descending aortic dissection.     

主动脉夹层CTA的诊断及介入治疗

目的对主动脉夹层CTA的诊断及介入治疗进行探讨与分析。方法本研究共纳入研究对象60例,均为2012年6月到2014年1月我院收治的主动脉夹层患者,所有患者均经DSA抑或MR T1-FS确诊。对患者的内膜瓣、管壁增厚、夹层动脉瘤和双腔征等影像学征象进行回顾性分析。结果 60例患者中出现主动脉夹层病变的70处,其中30例前循环,40例后循环。在70处主动脉夹层病变当中,有27处内膜瓣,7处双腔征,36处血管狭窄。相比DSA诊断,通过CTA可以把23处内膜瓣显示出来,占85.2%(23/27),可把5处双腔征显示出来,占71.4%(5/7),可把34处血管狭窄显示出来,占94.4%(34/36)。而在显示主动脉夹层脉瘤和血管闭塞上差异不显著。CTA比MR T1-FS更容易把血管内膜增厚给显示出来。结论通过CTA诊断主动脉夹层,能够把多种影像学征象给清晰显示出来,包括管壁和血管腔在内的主动脉夹层,是一种有效的影像学方式,对临床上运用适当的介入治疗有着重要的指导作用。     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis and management of acute aortic dissection

Eleven patients presenting with the clinical diagnosis of suspectedaortic dissection underwent intravenous digital subtractionaortography. In nine patients digital subtraction angiography(DSA) was performed as the investigation of first choice. Infive of these the diagnosis was confirmed with this techniquealone and surgical repair was undertaken without further investigation.Direct cine aortography was also undertaken in the other fourpatients and confirmed the DSA findings, demonstrating aorticdissection in one case and no dissection in three others. In two of the eleven patients, direct cine aortography was performedas the initial investigation. The results of subsequent digitalaortography concurred in both cases, aortic dissection beingdemonstrated in one patient. In two cases, despite normal cineand digital aortography, aortic dissection was confirmed bycomputed tomography. We have found DSA to be a valuable technique for diagnosingaortic dissection, with no false positive or false negativefindings when compared to direct cine aortography. Since itis a less traumatic procedure than direct aortography it shouldbe the investigation of choice if computed tomography is notimmediately available.     

“烟囱”技术在胸主动脉夹层腔内修复术中的应用分析

目的 探讨“烟囱”支架技术在近端锚定区长度不足的胸主动脉夹层的主动脉腔内修复术治疗中的应用.方法 回顾性观察2012年8月至2013年9月广东省人民医院17例近端锚定区长度不足的胸主动脉夹层患者使用“烟囱”技术进行主动脉腔内修复术治疗的临床资料.结果 男16例,女1例,Stanford B型主动脉夹层16例,Stanford B型主动脉夹层合并腹主动脉瘤1例.手术成功率为100％,支架释放后即时血管造影显示破口封堵完全,“烟囱”支架血流正常.随访3-16个月,中位时间12个月,无术后死亡患者.随访期间,患者出现左足乏力1例、头晕1例、胸闷痛2例、Ⅰ型内漏2例.无严重神经系统及脏器缺血并发症发生.术后主动脉计算机断层扫描血管造影（CTA）未见移位、明显内漏及“烟囱支架”闭塞等异常.结论 对于近端锚定区长度不足的胸主动脉夹层的患者,使用“烟囱支架技术”进行主动脉腔内修复是安全、有效的治疗方法.