Aortic emergencies

Aortic emergencies present a diagnostic and treatment challenge for emergency physicians. Both acute aortic dissection and abdominal aortic aneurysms can be difficult to recognize, and a missed or delayed diagnosis may be fatal. A high clinical suspicion and rapid patient evaluation are important. Although many patients ultimately require surgical intervention, early and aggressive attention to hemodynamic stability by the emergency physician can provide a window to definitive treatment.     

Acute Aortic Regurgitation with Myocardial Infarction: An Important Clue for Aortic Dissection

Background

Aortic dissection is an important cause of acute chest pain that should be rapidly diagnosed, as mortality increases with each hour this condition is left untreated. The diagnosis can be challenging, especially if concomitant myocardial infarction is present. Echocardiography is an important tool for the differential diagnosis.

Objectives

To stress the importance of recognizing aortic regurgitation for the differentiation of myocardial infarction and aortic dissection.

Case Report

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain that was diagnosed as inferior and lateral wall myocardial infarction based on electrocardiographic findings. The diagnosis was reevaluated when aortic regurgitation was detected on echocardiography. Closer inspection of the ascending aorta revealed a dissection flap as the cause of aortic regurgitation.

Conclusion

Detection of aortic regurgitation in a patient with myocardial infarction and normal valves should prompt the search for a possible aortic dissection, whether or not the dissection flap can be visualized.     

Aortic valve-sparing operations

Ascending aortic aneurysms involving the aortic root are usually treated with replacement of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve using a composite valved conduit. However, the aortic valve is usually normal and the dysfunction is due to an impairment of the other components of the aortic root. In these cases, the aortic root can be replaced, sparing the native aortic valve. Aortic valve-sparing operations have been demonstrated to be effective and durable. This article summarizes the principal methods of valve-sparing procedures, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and their impact on patient outcomes.     

超声心动图评价二叶主动脉瓣畸形与升主动脉扩张的关系

目的　使用超声心动图评价二叶主动脉瓣畸形 (BAV)与升主动脉扩张的关系。方法　使用二维超声在四个部位检测 42例主动脉瓣功能正常的BAV患者 (病例组 1)、3 7例主动脉瓣狭窄的BAV患者 (病例组 2 )和 40例年龄、体表面积、血压等匹配的健康人 (对照组 )的升主动脉内径 :瓣环、瓦氏窦、主动脉上嵴及升主动脉近端。结果　病例组 2升主动脉瓦氏窦、主动脉上嵴及近端内径最大 ,其次为病例组 1(P <0 .0 5～P <0 .0 0 1)。但病例组 1中有一部分BAV患者的升主动脉内径与对照组无显著差异。结论　BAV常合并升主动脉扩张 ,提示两者可能为同一发育异常 ,即先天性主动脉壁发育缺陷的不同表现形式。     

经食道心脏超声评价主动脉顺应性

以经食道心脏超声技术检测４６例患者主动脉顺应性。结果显示，随年龄增高而有相应主动脉内径增宽、主动脉搏动幅度和顺应分数减低、主动脉压力相关牵引张强度和非压力相关硬化指数加。高血压状态与上述主动脉顺应性参数亦有较好相关性。认为经食道心脏超声检测主动脉顺应性具有一定临床实用价值。     

Aortic root replacement surgery: indications,techniques and outcomes

Aortic root pathology is a common cause of aortic insufficiency. Aortic root aneurysm and aortic dissection, if left untreated, carry significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Surgical treatment involves replacement of the aortic valve, sinuses and ascending aorta. A number of prosthetic options have been developed including composite valve–synthetic graft, xenograft, homograft and pulmonary autograft. The current review describes the two main indications for aortic root replacement surgery, aortic dissection and root aneurysm, and discusses the various operative strategies and outcomes.     

急性主动脉综合征的诊断与治疗

急性主动脉综合征包括三种不同的类型,分别是主动脉夹层分离、主动脉壁内血肿、穿透性粥样硬化性主动脉溃疡。尽管此三种疾病有相似的临床症状,但其病理生理学基础、病程演变、影像学表现及治疗方法各异。现对其病因、病理、临床表现、预后做一概述,重点对这三种不同类型疾病的治疗方法进行讨论,以期提高临床医师对该综合征的认识,指导临床正确及时地处理好急性主动脉综合征。     

A Case of Traumatic Aortic Transection Presenting With Hemorrhagic Shock

BackgroundAortic transection, or aortic rupture, is a rare diagnosis in trauma patients and carries a high mortality.Case ReportWe present the case of a 61-year-old man presenting to a Level I trauma center after being struck by a motor vehicle, found to have an aortic transection. He was initially hypotensive and resuscitated with blood products due to concern for hemorrhagic shock. Aortic injury was suspected after chest x-ray study demonstrated a widened mediastinum. Traumatic thoracic aortic transection with pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed on computed tomography of the aorta, and the patient was taken to the operating room for thoracic endovascular repair of the aorta.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Diagnosis of aortic injury can be challenging, especially in trauma patients presenting with hypotension. Aortic injury must be suspected in patients presenting after a high-velocity mechanism injury. It is an uncommon cause of hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients and must be considered even if other traumatic injuries are identified, as it commonly occurs with other significant injuries. Although chest x-ray study can be useful, a negative chest x-ray study does not rule out aortic injury. Aortic injury is a time-sensitive diagnosis, and early identification is key to these patients surviving to receive definitive management in the operating room.     

超声心动图诊断主动脉弓离断的价值

目的探讨超声心动图诊断主动脉弓离断(IAA)的价值。分析误诊、漏诊的原因。方法对27例经手术、心血管造影及磁共振明确诊断的IAA住院患儿进行回顾性分析。男16例、女11例，年龄为1个月～18岁，平均4．5岁；IAA-A型12例，IAA-B型15例。结果全组确诊26例(96．3％)，漏诊1例(3．7％)；确诊病例中正确分型23例(88．5％)。分型误诊或不正确3例(11．5％)。结论超声心动图对IAA的诊断有很高的临床价值，凡肺动脉高压及肺动脉呈瘤样扩张者应仔细探查主动脉弓。     

主动脉瓣二叶式畸形及合并升主动脉瘤样扩张的外科治疗

目的：探讨主动脉瓣二叶式畸形（BAV）及合并升主动脉瘤样扩张的外科治疗方法。方法：2000年1月—2009年4月对28例主动脉瓣二叶式畸形患者行手术治疗,其中6例合并升主动脉瘤样扩张。其中,男性22例,女性6例,年龄23～65岁。心功能II级16例,III级9例,IV级3例。行主动脉瓣置换22例,行主动脉瓣置换和升主动脉置换（Wheats手术）2例,行主动脉瓣置换和外用Dacron人工血管展开后包绕升主动脉成形1例,3例应用带瓣管道行Bentall手术。同期行二尖瓣环置换术3例,三尖瓣成形术6例。结果：术后早期死亡1例,为Bentall手术后死于纵隔感染。术后早期并发低心输出量综合征6例,呼吸功能不全6例。痊愈出院27例,随访3个月～2年,无晚期死亡病例。结论：先天性主动脉瓣二叶式畸形可致主动脉瓣关闭不全或狭窄,主动脉瓣置换术是常用的手术方法。BAV合并升主动脉瘤样扩张要根据不同的病情作不同手术,可获得良好的结果。     

Fetal Aortic Arch Anomalies

Aortic arch anomalies are present in 1% to 2% of the general population and are commonly associated with congenital heart disease, chromosomal defects, and tracheaesophageal compression in postnatal life. The sonographically based detection of aortic arch anomalies lies in the 3‐vessel and trachea view. Although highly sensitive, this view alone does not allow identification of the aortic arch branching pattern, which prevents an accurate diagnosis. The systematic addition of a subclavian artery view as part of a standardized procedure may be useful in the differential diagnosis of these conditions. We describe the sonographic assessment of fetal aortic arch anomalies by combining 2 fetal transverse views: the 3‐vessel and trachea view and the subclavian artery view, which are included in the cardiovascular system sonographic evaluation protocol. We also review the sonographic findings and the clinical implications of fetal aortic arch anomalies.     

主动脉单叶瓣畸形的超声心动图诊断

目的：探讨超声心动图诊断主动脉单叶瓣的价值。方法：采用美国ATL公司HDI-3000型彩色多普勒超声心动图诊断仪。探头频率3．5～7．0MHz。重点观察主动脉瓣的数目、形态、回声及启闭状态和血液动力学情况。结果：5例主动脉单叶瓣均经超声心动图确诊，其中3例经手术证实，2例经食道超声心动图证实。年龄4～15岁。平均8．5岁。在5例主动脉单叶瓣中，瓣口偏心4例，瓣口不偏心1例。多普勒显示瓣口偏心4例，主动脉瓣均重度狭窄。其中1例合并轻度主动脉瓣关闭不全。瓣口不偏心1例，呈重度主动脉瓣狭窄。结论：超声心动图能诊断主动脉单叶瓣，具有重要临床价值。     

纵向应变在评估主动脉瓣狭窄置换术后患者心肌功能中的作用

利用斑点追踪技术得出的纵向应变可发现射血分数下降之前的心肌功能损伤,在预测主动脉瓣狭窄术后患者的死亡率及症状发展方面具有重要的临床应用价值。本文对目前应用纵向应变评估主动脉瓣狭窄置换术后患者心肌功能的现状作一综述。     

Aortic thrombosis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Summary

We describe a previously unreported complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, that of aortic thrombosis. We also review the literature on blood flow in the abdomen following pneumoperitoneum.     

Large Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Severe Aortic Regurgitation in a 7-year-Old Child with Marfan Syndrome and a Review of the Literature: Marfan Syndrome in Childhood

A 7-year-old girl was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion and palpitations. Her symptoms had gradually worsened for the last 6 months. She had physical features of the Marfan syndrome. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an ascending aortic aneurysm, severe aortic regurgitation, and mildly dilated left ventricle. Because of marked aortic aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation, the patient was treated with a beta-blocker and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Surgery was refused by her parents. We describe here a child with Marfan syndrome in whom significant dilatation of the ascending aorta and severe aortic regurgitation is encountered and major cardiovascular complications of Marfan syndrome were reviewed.     

腹及胸腹主动脉瘤围手术期的护理探讨

报告 198 6年～ 1998年间收治的腹及胸腹主动脉瘤 72例 ,其中胸腹主动脉瘤 (ThoracoabdominalAoticA neurysm ,TAAA) 8例 ,腹主动脉瘤 (AbdominalAorticAneurysm ,AAA) 6 4例。 6 5例行手术治疗 ,1例髂总动脉埋泵 ,6例未手术。详细讨论了腹及胸腹主动脉瘤围手术期的护理在成功治疗该血管疾病中的重要性