Acute aortic syndrome

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Acute aortic syndrome Microchapters

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Patient Information

Overview

Classification

Aortic dissection
Aortic intramural hematoma
Penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcer

Differentiating Acute Aortic Syndrome from other Diseases

Causes

Guidelines

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) describes a constellation of emergency conditions with a similar clinical feature that involves the aorta.[1] These include aortic dissection, intramural thrombus, and penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcer.[2] It is possible for AAS to lead to acute coronary syndrome.[3] The term was introduced in 2001.[4][5]

Classification

Acute aortic syndromes is classified into 5 entities as follows:[6][7]

  • Type I: classic aortic dissection involving an intimal layer between the true and false lumen (with no communication between the two lumen)
  • Type II: aortic dissection with medial rupture and the subsequent intramural hematoma formation
  • Type III: Subtle aortic dissection with bulging of the aortic wall
  • Type IV: aortic dissection due to plaque rupture and subsequent ulceration
  • Type V: iatrogenic/traumatic dissection

Causes

Causes include aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer or a thoracic aneurysm that has become unstable.[8] Basically, AAS can be caused by a breakdown on the wall of the aorta that involves the tunica intima and/or media.[9]

Diagnosis

The condition can be mimicked by a ruptured cyst of the pericardium,[10] ruptured aortic aneurysm[11] and acute coronary syndrome.[12]

Misdiagnosis is estimated at 39% and is associated with delays correct diagnosis and improper treatment with anticoagulants producing excessive bleeding and extended hospital stay.[12]

Management

AAS is life-threatening, with a high mortality rate if appearing acutely, reduced only when diagnosed early and treated by a surgeon with considerable expertise.[9] If patients survive acute presentation, within three to five years 30% will develop complications and require close follow-up.[9] Early diagnosis is essential for survival and management is challenging though greater awareness of the syndrome and improving management strategies are improving patient outcomes.[13]

References

  1. Ahmad F, Cheshire N, Hamady M (May 2006). "Acute aortic syndrome: pathology and therapeutic strategies". Postgrad Med J. 82 (967): 305–12. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.043083. PMC 2563796. PMID 16679467.
  2. Macura, KJ; Corl FM; Fishman EK; Bluemke DA (1 August 2003). "Pathogenesis in acute aortic syndromes: aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcer". American Journal of Roentgenology. 181 (2): 309–316. doi:10.2214/ajr.181.2.1810309. PMID 12876003. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  3. Manghat NE, Morgan-Hughes GJ, Roobottom CA (December 2005). "Multi-detector row computed tomography: imaging in acute aortic syndrome". Clin Radiol. 60 (12): 1256–67. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2005.06.011. PMID 16291307.
  4. van der Loo B, Jenni R (August 2003). "Acute aortic syndrome: proposal for a novel classification". Heart. 89 (8): 928. doi:10.1136/heart.89.8.928. PMC 1767786. PMID 12860875.
  5. Vilacosta I, Román JA (April 2001). "Acute aortic syndrome". Heart. 85 (4): 365–8. doi:10.1136/heart.85.4.365. PMC 1729697. PMID 11250953.
  6. Erbel, R (2001). "Diagnosis and management of aortic dissection Task Force on Aortic Dissection, European Society of Cardiology". European Heart Journal. 22 (18): 1642–1681. doi:10.1053/euhj.2001.2782. ISSN 0195-668X.
  7. "2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of aortic diseases". European Heart Journal. 35 (41): 2873–2926. 2014. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu281. ISSN 0195-668X.
  8. Smith AD, Schoenhagen P (January 2008). "CT imaging for acute aortic syndrome". Cleve Clin J Med. 75 (1): 7–9, 12, 15–7 passim. doi:10.3949/ccjm.75.1.7. PMID 18236724.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Evangelista Masip A (April 2007). "[Progress in the acute aortic syndrome]". Rev Esp Cardiol (in Spanish; Castilian). 60 (4): 428–39. doi:10.1157/13101646. PMID 17521551.
  10. Nishigami K, Hirayama T, Kamio T (February 2008). "Pericardial cyst rupture mimicking acute aortic syndrome". Eur. Heart J. 29 (14): 1752. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehn038. PMID 18296680.
  11. Marijon E, Vilanculos A, Tivane A; et al. (2007). "Thoracic aortic aneurysm: direct sign of rupture" (pdf). Cardiovasc J Afr. 18 (3): 180–1. PMID 17612751.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Hansen MS, Nogareda GJ, Hutchison SJ (March 2007). "Frequency of and inappropriate treatment of misdiagnosis of acute aortic dissection". Am. J. Cardiol. 99 (6): 852–6. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.10.055. PMID 17350381.
  13. Ince H, Nienaber CA (May 2007). "[Management of acute aortic syndromes]". Rev Esp Cardiol (in Spanish; Castilian). 60 (5): 526–41. doi:10.1016/S1885-5857(07)60194-7. PMID 17535765.

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