Aorta

Aorta

The thoracic aorta can be subdivided ito the aortic root (including the aortic annulus, aortic valve, and sinuses of Valsalva), the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta.

Picture source: Eur J Echocardiogr 2010;11:645-58[1]

Aortic Dimensions

Aortic dimensions decrease from sinuses of Valsalva to the descending aorta.

Aortic diameters (BSAindex)
Aortic annulus	20 - 31mm (13 ± 1mm/m2)
Aortic Root	29 - 45 mm (19 ± 1 mm/m2)
Sinotubular junction	22 - 36 mm (15 ± 1 mm/m2)
Tube	22 - 36 mm (15 ± 2 mm/m2)
Aortic Arch	22 - 36 mm
Descending aorta	20 - 30 mm
Abdominal aorta	20 - 30 mm
According to current recommendations measurements should be made using the leading edge to leading edge method, where callipers are placed on the outer layer of the anterior wall and the inner layer of the posterior wall.

Aortic dissection

Diagnostic is an undulating motion intimal flap, which in more recordings and directions must be seen. The flap should have a movement that is not parallel with any other cardio-thoracic structure.

Upon dissection watch:	Location of dissection Type A (involvement of ascending aorta) Type B (no involvement of ascending aorta) Location of intimal tear Location of re-entry and possibly tear. another crack Involvement of aortic arch and outgoing vessels Differentiation between true and false lumen Involvement of coronary arteries The presence of aortic valve insufficiency Pericardium moisture LV function

It also shows the intramural hematoma of the aorta to be aware of the aortic dissection. One variant This does not intraluminal flap was observed making the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Echocardiographic is viewed as a thickened aortic wall.

Differentiation between true and false lumen:	In M mode, the flap moves to the false lumen in systole. Spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus can be seen in the false lumen. With color Doppler is delayed systolic flow seen by secondary or re-entry tear to the false lumen. The false lumen (especially in chronic dissections) tends to be larger in comparison to the true lumen.

Aortic coarctation

Imaging of the aortic arch usually works best from the jugular (sternal supra). When evaluating a patient with a suspected coarctation always pay attention to associated anomalies such as:

• Bicuspid aortic valve
• Aortic valve stenosis
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• VSD
• Mitral valve abnormalities

Determining coarctation[2]

	Instrument	Remark
Location	Color doppler	The origin of the carotid and subclavian artery are reference points for locating the coarctation.
Speed Profile	Continuous wave	Remember that collaterals systolic maximum speed but does reduce the diastolic gradient persists. In the presence of diastolic forward flow refers to a hemodynamically significant coarctation. Typical CW Doppler signal from descending aorta with diastolic forward flow matching hemodynamically significant coarctation.

References

1. Evangelista A, Flachskampf FA, Erbel R, Antonini-Canterin F, Vlachopoulos C, Rocchi G, Sicari R, Nihoyannopoulos P, Zamorano J, European Association of Echocardiography, Document Reviewers:, Pepi M, Breithardt OA, and Plonska-Gosciniak E. Echocardiography in aortic diseases: EAE recommendations for clinical practice. Eur J Echocardiogr. 2010 Sep;11(8):645-58. DOI:10.1093/ejechocard/jeq056 |