Abstract

Objectives Prophylactic surgery for prevention of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is reserved for patients with an ascending aortic aneurysm =55 mm. Identification of additional risk predictors is warranted since over 70% of patients presenting with ATAAD have a non-dilated aorta or an aneurysm that would not have met the diameter criterion for preventative surgery. Aim of the study was to evaluate ascending aortic elongation as a risk factor for ATAAD and to compare aortic lengths between ATAAD patients and healthy controls.

Methods Aortic lengths and diameters of ATAAD patients were measured on three-dimensional modelled computed tomography and adjusted to predissection dimensions in this cross-sectional single-centre study. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relation between ATAAD and aortic dimensions. Lengths of different aortic segments were compared with a healthy control group using propensity score matching.

Results Two-hundred and fifty patients were included in the study (ATAAD, n=40; controls, n=210). Ascending aortic length and diameter proved to be independent predictors for ATAAD (OR=5.3, CI 2.5 to 11.4, p

Conclusions Ascending aortic length could serve as an independent predictor for ATAA D. Future studies addressing indications for prophylactic surgery should also investigate aortic length.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1778-1782
Number of pages5
JournalHeart
Volume104
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2018

Keywords

  • THORACIC AORTA
  • INTERNATIONAL REGISTRY
  • ANEURYSM
  • ASSOCIATION
  • GUIDELINES
  • MANAGEMENT
  • DIAGNOSIS
  • GEOMETRY
  • SOCIETY
  • DISEASE

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