Diseases of the Aorta

This review covers the major presentations affecting the aorta: aortic aneurysms (abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic aneurysms), acute aortic syndromes (including aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer), other nonacute aortic processes, and traumatic disease of the aorta. The section on abdominal aortic aneurysms covers screening, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management to reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture, open surgical treatment and endovascular aortic repair, and the role of medical therapy. The section on thoracic aortic aneurysms also covers pathophysiology, etiology, and inherited and inflammatory conditions. Aortic dissections affect either the ascending aorta (type A) or the descending aorta (type B) and may be classified as acute or chronic. The discussion of aortic dissection describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic steps and decisions, and treatment for both type A and type B dissections. The figures include two algorithms: a potential management strategy for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm and a logical procedure for the evaluation and treatment of a suspected aortic dissection. Figures also include illustrations, computed tomographic images, and echocardiograms of various aortic presentations. Tables list normal aortic dimensions by computed tomographic angiography and echocardiography, etiology and associated factors in diseases of the aorta, revised Ghent criteria for the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome, size criteria for elective surgical intervention in thoracic aortic aneurysm, and independent predictors of in-hospital death. Also included is a follow-up imaging timeline for acute aortic syndromes. This review contains 9 figures, 6 tables, and 132 references.