Acute aortic syndromes

Abstract

Acute aortic syndromes (AAS) comprise a group of potentially lethal conditions that require prompt recognition, diagnosis as well as acute medical stabilization and surgical intervention. The purpose of this article is to review the relevant variants of AAS presentation, as well as diagnostic and management issues, including adequate long-term medical therapy and follow-up imaging. In this context, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recently published guidelines on the management of thoracic aortic disease, drawing greater attention to these processes.

Diagnostic role and prognostic implications of D-dimer in different classes of acute aortic syndromes

“…Moreover, after discharge, all patients were subjected to a follow-up protocol, including clinical assessment and imaging of the aorta at 3 and 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. 7 All patients gave informed written consent for surgery or endovascular therapy.…”

Telomere Biology and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

“…The formation of aortic aneurysms can be congenital or acquired and occur at different locations of the thoracic or abdominal wall. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are strongly associated with arteriosclerosis and inflammation [ 15 ], while thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are consequences of degenerative processes, hypertension or genetic mutations in rare disorders (Ehlers-Danlos or Loeys-Dietz Syndrome) [ 16 , 17 ]. The findings of Morgen et al demonstrate that advancing age is associated with telomere uncapping in arteries, which is linked to senescence, which occurs independently of telomere shortening [ 18 ].…”

A Description of the Prehospital Phase of Aortic Dissection in Terms of Early Suspicion and Treatment

“…Other symptoms are the absence of a palpable pulse, diastolic murmur when auscultating the heart, signs of spinal cord dysfunction, focal neurological deficit, reduced level of consciousness, and syncope 5 9 - 10 Other symptoms include an observed difference in blood pressure between arms 10 11 …”

“…Other symptoms are the absence of a palpable pulse, diastolic murmur when auscultating the heart, signs of spinal cord dysfunction, focal neurological deficit, reduced level of consciousness, and syncope. 5,[9][10] Other symptoms include an observed difference in blood pressure between arms. 10,11 Due to the variety of symptoms, and the fact that acute myocardial infarction is much more common than aortic dissection, these patients are often misinterpreted as having an acute myocardial infarction.…”