Ascending vs Descending Aortic Dissections AZAI APPELBAUM, M.D., ROBERT B. KARP, M.D., JOHN W. KIRKLIN, M.D. Indications for surgical or endovascular repair are based on aneurysm location and risk factors for rupture such as aneurysm size, rate of growth, and associated conditions, while medical management is also . A number of patients with ascending aortic aneurysms may need the aortic root, which is the base of the aorta near the heart, repaired . Intervention on patients who need aortic valve surgery and have an ascending aortic aneurysm In patients already requiring surgery on the aortic valve, lower thresholds for aortic surgery may be used, such as 45mm. Indications for surgical treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are based on size or growth rate and symptoms. Above that diameter, the rate of aortic dissection and rupture increases to >30% a year. Marfan's syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting fibrillin synthesis . Aorta is the biggest blood vessel of humans and it is responsible to deliver blood from a person's heart to various other parts of the body. The procedure involves excision of the ascending aorta and underside of the aortic arch, and placement of a thoracic aortic stent graft into the descending aorta at the time of arch repair. Aortic dissection (AD) occurs when an injury to the innermost layer of the aorta allows blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, forcing the layers apart. The ascending aorta forms the beginning or handle of the cane and originates at the aortic valve. Elefteriades published the natural history of TAAs and recommended elective repair of ascending aneurysms at 5.5 cm and descending aneurysms at 6.5 cm for patients without any familial disorders such as Marfan syndrome. The aorta is replaced from the left subclavian artery to the celiac artery with a Dacron graft. The native aortic valve and root are repaired, and the ascending aorta and proximal arch are replaced with a Dacron graft. Op perrformed: Replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch with translocation of the head vessels to the ascending aorta and placement of TAG endograft for descending thoracic aneurysm with dissection. The ascending thoracic aorta was defined as the segment between the aortic valve and the right brachiocephalic artery (i.e., both the aortic root and tubular portion of the ascending aorta). Aneurysms are the result of weakening and thinning of the aortic wall. Sternotomy performed, cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted. 10 In addition, a near-constant 3 to 4 percent risk of dissection . Background: Neurologic deficit (paraplegia or paraparesis) remains a significant morbidity in the repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. Annulo-aortic ectasia can be an isolated condition or can occur as part of a generalised connective tissue disorder, e.g. We included articles dating from 1980 to 2014. An aortic aneurysm is a little like that. A thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an enlargement in the upper part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that routes blood to the body. Etiology True aneurysms can result from a wide variety of conditions: atherosclerosis (uncommon) connective tissue diseases Marfan syndrome The MTA group was defined as those with both ascending and descending aortic diameters of 40 mm. A metal mesh tube (graft) on the end of the catheter is placed at the site of the aneurysm, expanded and fastened in place. An aneurysm can develop in any artery. . Sixty percent of thoracic aortic aneurysms involve the aortic root and/or ascending aorta, 40% involve the descending aorta, 10% involve the arch, and 10% involve the thoracoabdominal aorta (with some involving >1 segment). The pressure of blood pumping through the artery causes a balloon-like bulge in the weak area of your aorta. The lower segment, known as the aortic root, encompasses the sinuses of Valsalva and sinotubular junction (STJ). Interactive 6. The normal aortic diameter varies based on age, sex, and body surface area. Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is less common than in the abdominal aorta, but it is clinically important because of the risk of rupture and death. The descending aorta travels back down into your abdomen (belly). These clots can break free and travel to your lungs. Endovascular therapy is rapidly emerging as the . When a portion of it stretches and swells to more than 50 percent of the original diameter, this is called an aneurysm. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of AAA based on the use of a stent graft, usually deployed inside the aneurysm through femoral access to exclude the AAA sac from the circulation. Dilated valves near the aortic root closest to the heart are also common. This condition is called a pulmonary embolism. In most cases, this is associated with a sudden onset of severe chest or back pain, often described as "tearing" in character. Figure 6. @article{Egloff1982TheAA, title={The ascending aortic aneurysm: replacement or repair? The DTA group was defined as those with a descending aortic diameter 40 mm but no other segment 40 mm. Dr. Wheatley further explains that "the stent can be used in the ascending aorta and if additional landing zones are needed, it can cover the coronary arteries or the great vessels.". The annual incidence of rupture of the thoracic aortic aneurysm has been estimated to be at 5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The ascending aorta originates beyond the aortic valve and ends right before the innominate artery (brachiocephalic trunc). Figure 1 depicts a steady and comparable growth rate at each follow-up year. But there are things you can and should do to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take preventive measures while your aneurysm is monitored. These do's and don'ts also apply to patients who have had surgery to repair a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection, says Mary Passow, R.N., B.S.N., a Michigan Medicine cardiac surgery nurse. Patients typically present with sudden onset severe pain radiating into the chest, back, or abdomen. The etiology, natural history, and treatment of thoracic aneurysms differ for each of these segments. In patients with ascending aortic rupture, TTE is useful to detect hematoma and effusion in the pericardial cavity. Methods: Between February 1991 and February 2000, we operated on 182 patients for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. 10 Risk factors include hypertension, increasing age, tobacco use, atherosclerosis, and congenital lesions (eg, bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation). In general, the term aneurysm is used when the axial diameter is >5.0 cm for the ascending aorta and >4.0 cm for the descending aorta 12.. Ascending aorta, which spans from the root of the aorta up to its first branch. There is reason to be concerned if you have an aortic aneurysm: If the vessel becomes too large, it could rupture, which is extremely dangerous and can cause life-threatening bleeding. During the study period, root/ascending aortic growth was 0.42 0.82 mm/year. Ascending aortic aneurysms are the second most. Aortic dissections that occur in the ascending part of the aorta are called type A; those in the descending aorta are type B. For a descending aneurysm, a large incision may extend from the back under the shoulder blade around the side of the rib cage to just under the breast. The ascending aorta begins at the heart's left ventricle and extends to the aortic arch, or the bend in the aorta. Terminology. About 60% of all aneurysms in the thoracic aorta (in your chest) affect the ascending aorta. Isolated aneurysm of the aortic arch was excluded from analysis. This has brain and heart risks. If you experience the following symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately: sudden tearing pain in the chest, neck, jaw, belly, or shoulder . Thoracic aortic aneurysms can cause aortic dissection (splitting of the aortic wall) and aortic rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. "This may be the best solution for ascending aortic aneurysms," adds Dr. Wheatley. Literature was obtained through online health related search engines (PubMed, MEDLINE) by including the following keywords: ascending aorta aneurysm, thoracic aneurysms, Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, familial thoracic syndrome, aortic dissection, aorta imaging and aortic aneurysm guidelines. The key difference between ascending and descending aorta is that ascending aorta is the upward part of the arch and the aortic section closest to the heart while descending aorta is the downward portion of the arch that is connected to a network of arteries and supplies most of the body with oxygen-rich blood. Sudden death can also occur. An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta that leads to a progressively growing hematoma in the intima -media space. Dr. D.J. Risk factors for aortic dissection include age and hypertension . Download figure These types of dissections are further classified by two categories: acute and chronic. 2 Risk factors and treatments The arch of the aorta gives off branches to the head and arms. 48,517 satisfied customers. If the aneurysm is in the chest only, the . (See 'Symptomatic (nonruptured) and ruptured TAA' below and 'Asymptomatic TAA' below.) ascending aneurysm With aneurysms of the ascending aorta, they are treated in a similar fashion as with the aortic root except the valve and the very first portion of the aorta as it leaves the heart are left intact. Acute and Chronic Aortic Dissections Doctors diagnose both type A and type B aortic dissections as being either acute or chronic. Descending type of thoracic aortic aneurysm refers to weakness and bulging in the wall of a descending thoracic aorta i.e. It is also preferred for complicated Stanford type B (DeBakey type III) aortic dissections with clinical or radiologic evidence of the following conditions: . In an elective setting, our surgeons have had a mortality of less than 1% for over 15 years. Medical advances have continued to improve the tools and devices used for aneurysm repair. A widened mediastinum on chest x-ray I am an 81 year old female with an ascending aortic aneurysm which requires replacing with a dacron aorta in open heart surgery. . Parameters considered when making surgical decisions include: Aneurysm size greater than 5.5 to 6 centimeters (greater than two inches) When enlarged above normal but not reaching aneurysmal definition, the terms dilatation/ectasia can be used 9,12. . : At his age yes I agree. Printer-Friendly Version Interactive 1. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are also known as ascending or descending aortic aneurysms.