Thoracic aortic aneurysm resident survival guide

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

Synonyms and keywords: ==Overview==

• Aortic diameter increased significantly from the aortic valve sinus to the ascending aorta and decreased continuously to the isthmus. No significant difference between the diameters at the isthmic and diaphragmatic levels.
• Classification:
  • Aortic root aneurysm
  • Ascending aortic aneurysm
  • Aortic arch aneurysm
  • Descending aortic aneurysm
• Crawford classification for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm: tYpe I II III IV V
  • high blood pressure, especially not controlled, dyslipidemia, smoking, use of cocaine and other stimulants which increase aortic wall stress, weight lifting, trauma, aortic coarctation, pheochromocytoma, and disorders with abnormalities of the aortic media increased risk of aortic dissection, pregnancy, polycystic renal disease, chronic use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs, and aortic wall infections increase risk of aortic dissection in patients with thoracic aneurysm.

• 60% of thoracic AAs occur in the aortic root and/or the ascending aorta
• 40% occur in the descending aorta
• 10% occur in the aortic arch, and 10% occur in the thoracoabdominal aorta.

• Shapes of aneurysm:
  • Saccular
  • Fusiform

• If there are symptoms suggesting thoracic AA expansion, surgical intervention should be considered.
• If the ascending thoracic aorta or aortic sinus diameter is 5.5 cm or more in an asymptomatic surgical candidate who has a degenerative thoracic AA, chronic aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, mycotic aneurysm, or pseudoaneurysm, surgery should be performed.
• Asymptomatic persons with genetic conditions such as Marfan's syndromes should have elective surgery if their diameters are 4.0 to 5.0 cm depending on the disorder to prevent acute dissection or rupture.
• Asymptomatic persons with Marfan’s syndrome should be treated with surgical intervention if their ascending thoracic aortic diameter is 5.0 cm or more and with <5.0 cm if there is a family history of dissection or an increase in ascending thoracic aortic diameter greater than 0.5 cm per year.
• Asymptomatic persons who have Loeys-Dietz syndrome should be treated with surgical intervention if their ascending thoracic aortic diameter is ≥4.2 cm by transesophageal echocardiography or 4.4 to

4.6 cm by cardiac computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance

• If the increase in the ascending thoracic aortic diameter is greater than 0.5 cm per year in an asymptomatic person with a diameter below 5.5 cm, surgical intervention should be performed.
• Asymptomatic persons with bicuspid aortic valve should have surgical intervention if the diameter of their aortic sinuses or ascending thoracic aorta is >5.5 or >5.0 cm with a family history of aortic dissection or an increase in diameter ≥0.5 cm/year
• The ascending thoracic aorta should be replaced in persons with bicuspid aortic valve having aortic valve surgery if their ascending thoracic aorta diameter is >4.5 cm

Screening

• Screening for TAA is not recommended in the general population.However, certain population substrates, such as those with history of marfan's syndrome, turner's syndrome, ehlers-danlos type IV syndrome, familial thoracic aortic disease syndromes, bicuspid aortic valve, takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, loeys-dietz syndrome or a confirmed genetic mutation known to predispose to aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections (TGFBR1, TGFBR2, FBN1, ACTA2, or MYH11) should have imaging study to screen for TAAs.

Marfan's Syndrome

For patients presenting for the first time with a Marfan's syndrome, measure the aorta diameter with aortic imaging and followed up 6 months later to check for aortic enlargement. Annual imaging is recommended for patients with Marfan syndrome if the stability of the aortic diameter is documented.

Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Patients with loeys-dietz syndrome or a confirmed genetic mutation known to predispose to aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections (TGFBR1, TGFBR2, FBN1, ACTA2, or MYH11) should undergo complete aortic imaging at initial diagnosis and 6 months thereafter to establish if enlargement is occurring.

Turner's Syndrome

Patients with turner syndrome should undergo imaging of the heart and aorta for evidence of bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta, or dilatation of the ascending thoracic aorta. If initial imaging is normal and there are no risk factors for aortic dissection, repeat imaging should be performed every 5 to 10 years or if otherwise clinically indicated. If abnormalities exist, annual imaging or follow-up imaging should be done.

Screening of family members

First-degree relatives of people with thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection should have aortic imaging to identify asymptomatic disease. Patients with high-risk syndromes such as Marfan's syndrome and loeys-dietz syndrome should undergo complete aortic imaging at initial diagnosis and 6 months thereafter to establish if enlargement is occurring.

Treatment

• Once aortic dilation is suspected, based on echocardiography and/or chest X-ray, it is reasonable to obtain definitive aortic imaging with CT or magnetic resonance angiography. If the aneurysm is too small to justify surgery, non-surgical medical therapy is recommended, then repeat imaging at six months to document stability. If the aortic dimensions remain stable, annual follow-up with CT or MRA is reasonable. If a significant size has been reached or growth has been documented, they may elect to undergo surgical repair. however, it is beneficial to have early discussions with the potential surgical candidate about the area of concern and the types of operations available, their outcomes, and associated risks and benefits.

• patients with thoracic AA must be counseled about smoking cessation.
• Dyslipidemia must be treated. Atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg daily or rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg daily should be administered
• Hypertension must be controlled with beta-blocker plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker these in these patients. The blood pressure in persons with thoracic AA should be lowered to less than 130/80 mmHg.

Do's

• The content in this section is in bullet points.

Don'ts

• The content in this section is in bullet points.