Spontaneous retrograde dissection of ascending aorta from descending thoracic aorta--a case review

A 56-year-old man with sudden onset chest pain, absent right lower limb pulses and ECG changes suggestive of inferior ST elevation MI underwent coronary angiogram through the right radial artery with a view to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The left coronary angiogram demonstrated severe proximal stenotic disease in the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries, but the right coronary artery could not be selectively cannulated. An ascending aortogram to visualise the right coronary artery not only failed to demonstrate it, but revealed, instead, a dissection flap in the ascending aorta, arch and descending thoracic aorta, with moderately severe aortic regurgitation. At operation, the patient was found to have an acute dissection of the ascending aorta, arch and descending aorta with an entry tear in the descending aorta below the left subclavian artery origin. Triple coronary artery bypass grafting with re-suspension of the aortic valve, supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta and hemiarch and transaortic repair of the descending aortic tear was performed. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery, with the re-appearance of right limb pulses. A postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) scan revealed complete thrombosis of the false channel in the residual arch and a considerably shrunken false channel in the descending aorta and no aortic regurgitation. Retrograde dissection of the ascending aorta from the descending aorta has been reported infrequently in the past. We believe the scale of the problem has been underestimated because of the failure to adopt open distal anastomosis routinely in the past and, hence, failure to inspect the arch and the descending aorta routinely, particularly when the intimal tear was not identified in the ascending aorta. Retrograde dissection of the ascending aorta from an intimal tear in the descending aorta, when identified as such, has been managed, either on the principle of exclusion of the tear in the descending aorta by various elephant trunk procedures and their variants or, alternatively, on the principle of excision of the tear by extended one-stage aortic replacement, usually combined with an elephant trunk procedure. Neither of these procedures is widely adopted, owing to procedural, institutional and outcome considerations. We describe a transaortic repair of the intimal tear in the descending aorta with supracoronary interposition graft replacement of the ascending aorta and hemiarch with excellent clinical and radiological result. We also review the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this incompletely understood lethal disease.     

超声心动图检测正常和主动脉缩窄胎儿主动脉及其意义

目的 探讨中晚孕期胎儿主动脉各段及分支内径的正常参考值范围,研究主动脉缩窄胎儿相应值的变化.方法 检测234例14~41孕周正常胎儿主动脉矢状断面上主动脉根部、升主动脉、主动脉横部、主动脉峡部、降主动脉、头臂干、左颈总动脉、左锁骨下动脉内径,并建立孕周与各项检测指标的直线相关方程.计算正常组与病例组主动脉各段与升主动脉的比值并比较.结果 主动脉各段及分支内径随孕周的增加而增加(P<0.01).主动脉缩窄组胎儿主动脉峡部/升主动脉及降主动脉/升主动脉比值与对照组比较明显降低(P<0.01).结论 监测中晚孕期胎儿主动脉峡部/升主动脉及降主动脉/升主动脉比值可作为主动脉缩窄的产前诊断筛查指标.

Abstract：

Objective To establish normal reference indexes of aorta during gestation and cut-points for detection of fetuses with coarctation of aorta.Methods From long-axis views of the aortic arch,the internal diameter of the aortic root,ascending aorta,transverse aortic arch,aortic isthmus,descending aorta,anonyma,left common carotid artery,left subclavian artery were measured in 234 normal fetuses at different time ranging from 14 to 41 weeks during gestation.Reference values of each aortic segment were constructed by linear regression analysis.The ratio of each aortic segment to the ascending aorta were calculated.ResultsThe internal diameter in each aortic segments increased as pregnancy progressed (P<0.01).In the prenatal diagnosis of fetus with coarctation of the aorta,the ratio of the aortic isthmus to the ascending aorta and descending aorta to the ascending aorta were significantly lower than the normal fetuses(all P<0.01).Conclusions The ratio of the aortic isthmus to the ascending aorta and ratio of descending aorta to the ascending aorta detected by echocardiography may be helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of aorta.     

主动脉夹层经胸超声心动图漏诊及误诊原因分析

摘要：目的：探讨主动脉夹层超声表现及部分病例漏诊误诊原因。方法：收集经手术证实为主动脉夹层诊断的病例50例进行回顾分析。结果：手术证实升主动脉夹层36处,主动脉弓夹层29处,降主动脉夹层43处。超声心动图对降主动脉病变漏诊16处,对主动脉弓病变漏诊9处,对升主动脉处病变漏诊1处。漏诊导致对主动脉夹层Debakey分型错误,I型夹层误诊16例,II型夹层误诊0例,III型夹层误诊1例。结论：主动脉夹层漏诊数量由高至低依次为降主动脉、主动脉弓、升主动脉,漏诊及误诊与超声医师因素、超声图像及设备因素密切相关。     

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.     

胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺1例报告及文献分析

目的 对胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺进行回顾性分析，旨在提高对胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺的早期诊断和治疗的有效性。方法 结合1例报告，总结自1990年1月至2005年3月文献报道的胸主动脉瘤破裂入左肺16例病例。根据其有无感染、首发症状、胸主动脉瘤部位、侵入肺叶、手术方法及治疗效果进行分析。结果 胸主动脉瘤侵入左肺叶多数病程长，多合并肺部细菌和／或特异性感染，咯血是最常见的首发症状；来源于主动脉弓的瘤多侵入左肺上叶。手术多以全弓或次全弓切除及人工血管置换和左肺上叶切除术为主，而降主动脉瘤多侵入左肺下叶，手术以主动脉瘤切除及主动脉修补或血管置换术和左肺下叶切除为主；若无不可控制的大出血，预后较好。结论 胸主动脉瘤切除及人工血管置换术加侵入相应肺叶的切除术是治疗胸主动脉瘤侵入左肺的有效方法。     

儿童永存第五主动脉弓超声心动图表现北大核心CSCD

目的观察儿童永存第五主动脉弓(PFAA)的超声心动图表现。方法观察5例经CT血管造影(CTA)及手术确诊PFAA患儿的超声心动图表现,记录相关临床资料。结果5例PFAA,包括1例Weinberg A型及4例Weinberg B型。超声心动图左心室流出道切面均见第五主动脉弓自升主动脉远端发出,胸骨上窝长轴切面见2个并存且平行走行的主动脉弓,4例Weinberg A型上方为第四主动脉弓、下方为第五主动脉弓,均与降主动脉相连;1例Weinberg B型上方第四主动脉弓离断,仅见下方的第五主动脉弓与降主动脉相连。5例中,4例接受PFAA矫治术,术后随访主动脉弓血流均通畅;1例因第五主动脉弓血流通畅而未接受PFAA矫治术。结论不同类型PFAA超声心动图表现存在差异,联合观察左心室流出道切面和胸骨上窝长轴切面有助于提高PFAA检出率。     

Atheromas of the thoracic aorta: A comparison of transesophageal echocardiography and breath-hold gadolinium-enhanced 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been the procedure of choice for identifying thoracic aortic atheromas. All patients over a 2-year period who underwent both TEE and magnetic resonance angiography of the thoracic aorta within 1 month were identified. The largest plaque in 3 aortic segments (ascending, arch, and descending) was measured. Thirty patients (16 men; 66.8 +/- 12.9 years) were studied. The mean size of the atheromas in the arch was larger as measured by TEE compared with magnetic resonance angiography (3.4 vs 1.4 mm, P =.01). However, the mean atheroma size was similar in the ascending aorta (1.9 vs 1.3 mm, P =.5) and descending aorta (3.9 vs 3.5 mm, P =.66). Of 24 aortic segments with plaques measuring >/=5 mm (with high embolic risk), 22 (92%) were seen on TEE and only 13 (54%) on magnetic resonance angiography (P =. 003). In conclusion, although both techniques are complementary, TEE does identify more high-risk plaques.     

主动脉缩窄合并右弓右降及多囊状动脉瘤的影像诊断

目的 研究主动脉缩窄合并右弓右降及多囊状动脉瘤的的影像学表现。方法 回顾性分析2例主动脉缩窄合并右弓右降及多囊状动脉瘤x线胸片、超声心动图、心血管造影、三维动态增强磁共振造影(3DDCEMRA)资料并与手术病理结果对照。结果 两例均为镜面右位主动脉弓(Ⅰ型)、主动脉缩窄、主动脉弓部多囊状动脉瘤。结论 心血管造影是诊断该类复杂畸形最可靠的方法，三维动态增强磁共振造影(3DDCEMRA)在一定程度上可以替代心血管造影，能为临床手术提供明确的定位与定性诊断。     

主动脉夹层撕裂内膜走行规律的MSCTA研究

目的 观察Stanford A型和Stanford B型主动脉夹层（AD）主动脉腔内的撕裂内膜走行规律。方法 回顾性分析65例AD患者的CTA资料,在胸腰椎体和椎间隙层面轴位图像上确定夹层动脉撕裂内膜与管壁两个结合点的位置,并计算真腔所处夹角角平分线（TLIAB）的钟点数。同时观察AD对主动脉分支大血管的影响情况。结果 升主动脉段Stanford A型内膜撕裂由主动脉根部向弓部呈顺时针旋转;真腔位于主动脉腔左侧约3~6点位置,TLIAB位置的平均钟点数为4.16±1.51。降主动脉段AD内膜撕裂由近端向远端呈逆时针旋转,Stanford A型和B型撕裂模式大致相同,旋转幅度相似;主动脉弓降部真腔位于主动脉腔右侧,TLIAB位于8~9点,降主动脉远端TLIAB位于7~8点。左冠状动脉均开口于真腔,其钟点数（3.82±0.41）与对应层面TLIAB（3.69±0.82）差异无统计学意义（t=0.86,P=0.40）;右冠状动脉开口紧邻血管壁内膜撕裂处。Stanford A型和B型AD的降主动脉段分支血管起源部位分型差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。结论 AD内膜呈螺旋状撕裂,升主动脉段由主动脉根部至弓部呈顺时针旋转,降主动脉段由弓降部至远端呈逆时针旋转且Stanford A、B型的旋转模式大致相同。Stanford A型和B型AD主动脉分支大血管的受累情况相似。     

小鼠心血管超声生物显微镜显像与磁共振成像的对照研究

目的 探索超声生物显微镜显像(UBM)进行小鼠心血管成像的方法和常用切面观,并通过磁共振(MR)成像印证UBM所显示的解剖结构,探讨UBM在小鼠心血管成像中的可行性及应用价值.方法 采用Signo 3.0T磁共振(MR)成像系统对2只C57BL/6健康成年雄性小鼠进行胸部成像.选择C57BL/6健康成年雄性小鼠16只,采用Vevo 770小动物超声成像系统,经胸骨左缘、心尖、胸骨右缘及胸骨上窝等扫查窗口,观察并分析小鼠心脏及大血管的结构及血流频谱并对左心收缩及舒张功能进行评价.结果 小鼠胸部MR成像的解剖特征:心脏大部分位于左侧胸腔,心脏的长轴与身体的长轴线的角度约为45°.左房、左室、二尖瓣和右室位于胸部中线的左侧,主动脉瓣口及升主动脉、右房和三尖瓣位于胸部中线的右侧.UBM显像能获得左室长轴、左室短轴、右室流人道、心尖四腔、肺动脉长轴、升主动脉长轴、主动脉弓长轴、主动脉短轴等切面观,能显示并测量左房、左室、二尖瓣、主动脉及主动脉弓、室间隔、右房、右室、三尖瓣、肺动脉、无名动脉及左颈总动脉等结构,并可顺利获得各瓣口的血流频谱.对不同周龄小鼠测量数据进行比较,各组间差异无统计学意义.结论 UBM显像采用适当的扫查窗口和切面观能显示止常小鼠心脏和主动脉的形态结构和血流动力学状态,为基因敲除鼠动脉粥样硬化模型的研究奠定了基础.     

Color Doppler examination of the outflow tracts of the fetal heart: a technique for identification of cardiovascular malformations.

The objective was to describe a technique using color Doppler to identify the outflow tracts of the fetal heart by directing the ultrasound transversely through the fetal chest. One hundred second- and third-trimester control fetuses were examined with real-time and color Doppler ultrasound. The ultrasound beam was directed cephalad, in the same transverse plane used to image the four-chamber view, and the outflow tracts were examined. Four fetuses with abnormal cardiovascular anatomy were examined using the above approach, to study the anatomical relationships of the outflow tracts identified with color Doppler ultrasound in normal fetuses.When the ultrasound beam was directed immediately cephalad to the four-chamber view, the aorta was identified as it exited the left ventricle. Further movement of the ultrasound beam cephalad identified the following vessels in a single plane: the main pulmonary artery perpendicular to the ascending aorta; the left pulmonary artery branching from the main pulmonary artery; the full length of the ductus arteriosus; and the transverse arch of the aorta. The ascending aorta, main pulmonary artery, ductus arteriosus and transverse aortic arch were identified in 100% of fetuses. Four fetuses with abnormalities of the outflow tracts (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis and premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus) were imaged using this approach in which pathology was readily identified.This technique enables rapid identification of the outflow tracts in second- and third-trimester fetuses using color Doppler and accurately identifies abnormalities of these vessels.     

Fetal sonographic diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies.

Aortic arch anomalies refer to congenital abnormalities of the position or branching pattern, or both of the aortic arch. Although aortic arch anomalies are not uncommon, reports on their prenatal diagnosis are scarce. Insight into the hypothetical arch model is crucial to understanding anomalies of the aortic arch in the fetus. Recognition of the trachea, three major vessels, ductus arteriosus and descending aorta in the axial views of the upper mediastinum is necessary for a complete fetal cardiac assessment. Clues to aortic arch anomalies include abnormal position of the descending aorta, absence of the normal 'V'-shaped confluence of the ductal and aortic arches, a gap between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery in the three-vessel view, and an abnormal vessel behind the trachea with or without a vascular loop or ring around the trachea. Meticulous attention to anatomic landmarks will lead to successful prenatal diagnosis of important vascular rings making early postnatal management possible.     

胸降主动脉瘤伴主动脉右弓右降手术的护理配合

目的探讨临床少见的右位主动脉弓、右位降主动脉、胸降主动脉瘤外科手术中的护理配合,以提高手术配合质量,减少手术相关并发症的发生。方法针对8例行右弓、右降胸降主动脉瘤手术的病例进行术前准备、麻醉配合、体位管理和皮肤保护、术中配合、术后交接等护理配合。结果8例患者于术后4～7h清醒,无左上肢缺血、无皮肤压伤感染等护理问题。结论术前心理护理、麻醉配合、正确的体位摆放以及充分显露术野和娴熟的手术配合是确保手术顺利进行的关键因素之一。     

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta

Between 1968 and 1981, 25 patients with acute traumatic rupture of the aorta were treated at the University of Virginia. Twenty-two of these patients (88%) had serious concomitant injuries. The aortic tear was just distal to the left subclavian artery in 19 patients (76%), and at other sites in six patients (24%). Lacerations were at multiple sites in three patients (12%), in the ascending aorta in one (4%), in the distal aortic arch in two (8%), and in the descending aorta well beyond the subclavian artery in six (24%). Two of the patients (8%) died of free rupture of the aorta before reaching the operating room. The other 23 patients (92%) had operation and 17 (68%) survived. At least ten of the 17 survivors (59%), with an average follow-up of seven years, do not have a disability as a result of the injury. In this group, 24 of the 25 traumatic aortic injuries (96%) occurred in the distal aortic arch or the descending aorta and could be repaired through a left posterolateral thoracotomy.     

产前超声诊断胎儿主动脉弓离断

目的 观察产前超声诊断胎儿主动脉弓离断(IAA)的价值，探讨胎儿IAA的病理演变过程。方法 回顾性分析经产前超声诊断(n=33)或引产后尸检证实(n=6)IAA的39胎胎儿超声心动图表现，并追踪其狭窄段主动脉演变情况。结果 39胎中，32胎产前超声诊断IAA,其中6胎主动脉缩窄(CoA)进行性加重，经超声心动图追踪复查诊断为IAA。其余7胎中，6胎产前超声误诊为主动脉弓病变，后均经尸检证实为IAA;1胎产前超声心动图显示左颈总动脉(LCA)与左锁骨下动脉(LSA)之间主动脉横弓无血流信号而误诊为B型IAA,经引产后尸检证实为LCA与LSA之间主动脉弓严重狭窄但未闭锁。38胎确诊IAA胎儿中，A型18胎、B型19胎、C型1胎；超声心动图表现主要为心脏四腔心切面左心室明显小于右心室或差别不明显，三血管切面主动脉明显小于肺动脉，三血管-气管切面和主动脉弓切面主动脉与降主动脉不相连，主动脉弓切面见主动脉弓弯曲度变小、走行僵直，主动脉、动脉导管及降主动脉之间无正常“V”字形结构；彩色多普勒显示主动脉弓中断处无连续血流信号，动脉导管内见血流反转。6胎最初产前超声心动图表现为CoA的IAA胎儿后经多...     

An esophageal Doppler probe for aortic flow velocity monitoring

An ultrasonic Doppler transducer suitable for intra-esophageal use in humans has been constructed, tested, and its function as a flow monitoring device assessed on a series of 15 unselected anaesthetized human subjects undergoing surgery. Doppler flow signals from the descending thoracic aorta have been obtained in all cases. Once correctly positioned, the probe can give continuous qualitative monitoring of pulsatile aortic blood flow velocity for extended periods. It is possible to observe flow waves in the descending thoracic aorta from the aortic arch distally for about 20 cm and observe the change from disturbed to laminar flow patterns over this length.     

37例钝性胸主动脉损伤CT血管造影征象的回顾性分析

目的 回顾性分析钝性胸主动脉损伤的CT血管造影(CTA)征象,为CTA诊断钝性胸主动脉损伤积累经验.方法 对2004年6月至2014年6月在解放军总医院急诊科诊治的37例经手术或主动脉造影证实的钝性胸主动脉损伤患者CTA图像进行回顾性分析,总结钝性胸主动脉损伤CTA的征象特点.结果 37例钝性胸主动脉损伤部位分别为主动脉峡部83.8％ (31/37)、主动脉弓5.4％ (2/37)、主动脉降部8.1％ (3/37)、主动脉升部2.7％ (1/37).钝性胸主动脉损伤CTA征象表现为内膜瓣34例(91.8％),主动脉轮廓改变或腔异常37例(100％),动脉收缩17例(45.9％),主动脉夹层10例(27.0％),假性动脉瘤21例(56.7％),血栓1例(2.7％).结论 CTA征象是诊断钝性胸主动脉损伤的重要依据,具有定性诊断价值.     

左右肘静脉注射对比剂对胸部CT血管成像的影响

目的：探讨左右肘静脉注射对比剂对胸部CT血管成像（CTA）的影响。方法将60例胸部CTA检查患者随机分为2组,每组30例,分别进行左右肘静脉注射对比剂,其他参数相同。扫描完成后,测量并比较降主动脉、肺动脉主干、右下肺动脉、左上肺动脉、左下肺动脉、右下肺静脉、左上肺静脉、左下肺静脉的CT强化值,并对胸部血管成像质量进行评价。结果2组患者的降主动脉、肺动脉主干、右下肺动脉、左上肺动脉、左下肺动脉、右下肺静脉、左上肺静脉、左下肺静脉的CT强化值分别为：（342.42±52.63）Hu和（369.04±88.87）Hu、（389.72±126.36）Hu和（411.46±110.98）Hu、（366.63±124.84）Hu和（392.67±115.59）Hu、（389.19±128.99）Hu和（390.24±114.47）Hu、（388.64±127.37）Hu和（404.64±124.47）Hu、（361.84±73.87）Hu和（370.40±91.42）Hu、（384.19±78.50）Hu和（401.68±96.32）Hu、（377.10±81.07）Hu和（388.59±74.89）Hu,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。结论胸部CTA成像时,采用左右肘静脉注射对比剂,对血管的强化程度无明显影响。     

True four-dimensional analysis of thoracic aortic displacement and distension using model-based segmentation of computed tomography angiography

Previous analyses of aortic displacement and distension using computed tomography angiography (CTA) were performed on double-oblique multi-planar reformations and did not consider through-plane motion. The aim of this study was to overcome this limitation by using a novel computational approach for the assessment of thoracic aortic displacement and distension in their true four-dimensional extent. Vessel segmentation with landmark tracking was executed on CTA of 24 patients without evidence of aortic disease. Distension magnitudes and maximum displacement vectors (MDV) including their direction were analyzed at 5 aortic locations: left coronary artery (COR), mid-ascending aorta (ASC), brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), left subclavian artery (LSA), descending aorta (DES). Distension was highest for COR (2.3 ± 1.2 mm) and BCT (1.7 ± 1.1 mm) compared with ASC, LSA, and DES (p < 0.005). MDV decreased from COR to LSA (p < 0.005) and was highest for COR (6.2 ± 2.0 mm) and ASC (3.8 ± 1.9 mm). Displacement was directed towards left and anterior at COR and ASC. Craniocaudal displacement at COR and ASC was 1.3 ± 0.8 and 0.3 ± 0.3 mm. At BCT, LSA, and DES no predominant displacement direction was observable. Vessel displacement and wall distension are highest in the ascending aorta, and ascending aortic displacement is primarily directed towards left and anterior. Craniocaudal displacement remains low even close to the left cardiac ventricle.     

Large aneurysms of the ascending aorta and major coronary arteries in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

We describe a 50-year-old man with a history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) who presented with chest pain, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed a large ascending aortic aneurysm accompanied by severe aortic regurgitation and giant coronary artery aneurysms involving the right, left main, left anterior descending, and circumflex coronary arteries. Coronary angiography clearly defined multiple aneurysms involving the aorta and coronary arteries. The patient underwent complex and successful surgical repair of the aneurysms. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of extensive cardiac involvement in a patient with this uncommon genetic disorder.