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Dissecting aneurysms of the coronary arteries.

This paper reports two cases of coronary dissecting aneurysms of the heart. These were found among 45 consecutive autopsy cases with cardiac diseases from January, 1978 to April, 1981. The first case, a 60-year-old woman, revealed dissecting aneurysm involving the aorta and three main coronary arteries in association with cystic medial necrosis. The second case, a 55-year-old man, revealed dissecting hematoma limited to the right coronary artery without any presumptive causal lesion to the dissection. The dissections could not be identified by either clinically or even macroscopic examinations of the autopsy materials. It is likely that the dissecting coronary aneurysm is not so uncommon nor fatal lesion as previously thought. Considerable number of the cases would be concealed in those of sudden death not autopsied or carelessly autopsied, or in those survived myocardial infarction not angiographied.

Aortic Dissection↗

Histologic and histometric study of the aortic media in dissecting aneurysm. Comparison with true aneurysm and age-matched controls.

We studied the histologic and histometric features of the aortic media in cases of dissecting aneurysm in order to clarify the pathologic background of this condition. The results were then compared with cases of true aneurysm and control specimens of "normal" aging aorta. Most cases of dissecting aneurysm and true aneurysm, as well as a number of control specimens, showed severe cystic medial necrosis, and therefore this feature does not appear to be specific to dissecting aneurysm. Fibrosis was noted in the process of repair of medionecrosis in dissecting aneurysm, true aneurysm, and controls. The main pathologic features of the aortic media in dissecting aneurysm included a higher grade of elastin fragmentation (offensive factor) and less fibrosis (defensive factor). Our findings indicate that the pathologic balance between these offensive and defensive factors is an important consideration when evaluating the pathogenesis of dissecting aneurysm.

Aged↗

Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest as an elective technique in the treatment of type B dissecting aneurysm of the aorta.

The combination of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest has been used in a variety of cardiovascular surgical techniques and is presented in this article as an elective method in the treatment of type B dissecting aneurysms that may or may not involve the distal aortic arch. Out of 190 patients operated on with acute aortic dissection, 10 patients with type B underwent surgical procedures, between January 1985 and December 1987, four with acute dissection (less than 14 days evolution), and six with chronic dissection (more than 14 days evolution). The approach was by left posterolateral thoracotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass using femoro-femoral cannulation, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest. The duration of circulatory arrest was between 27 and 58 minutes, mean 37 minutes. Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) lasted between 68 and 142 minutes, with a mean perfusion time of 83.7 minutes, and temperature fell to 14 degrees C and 16 degrees C. Intrahospital mortality was 20% (two patients). No long-term mortality has been recorded. Eighty percent of the patients (eight patients) are alive and showed good evolution between 10 and 44 months following surgery, with a long-term mean survival of 24 months and 23 days. The only neurological complication was a single case of right unilateral blindness followed by complete visual recuperation. Myocardial and spinal cord protection are excellent, without any incidence of postoperative infarct or paraplegia. Postsurgical blood loss ranged from 200 to 650 mL with a mean of 385 mL. Acute renal insufficiency was not detected. We believe that the combined techniques of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest used electively, and not just out of occasional necessity, is a viable choice that allows easier surgical manipulation of type B dissection aneurysms and complete resolution of those involving retrograde dissection to the aortic arch. In addition. this combined technique does not increase postoperative mortality in this critically dangerous disease.

Adult↗

Thoracic aortic dissections: magnetic resonance imaging.

Six patients with documented dissections of the thoracic aorta (two Type A, four Type B) were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using a 0.6-Tesla superconductive magnet. Cardiac gating was applied in five cases. Correlation was made with CT and angiography. MR imaging demonstrated the dissection in all six cases and accurately differentiated Type A from Type B dissections. Coronal and sagittal MR sections were advantageous in establishing the relationship of the three arch vessels to the dissection. In addition, cardiac-gated MR was useful in demonstrating mural thrombus and in distinguishing the true from the false lumen based on differences in signal intensity resulting from different flow rates. In five cases, the information obtained by MR was equal to or surpassed that obtained by CT. In the one case of a completely thrombosed dissection, the CT scan was more helpful. MR should become an important imaging modality in the evaluation of aortic dissections.

Adult↗

Thoracic aortic dissection: pitfalls and artifacts in MR imaging.

Results of 53 thoracic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations were reviewed to determine the prevalence and severity of artifacts and pitfalls that may occur in the evaluation of acute aortic dissection. Grade 1 artifacts and pitfalls were mimics of aortic dissection on individual images but could be demonstrated not to represent a dissection when other images from the same sequence were evaluated. Grade 2 artifacts and pitfalls required the use of images from other planes or sequences to distinguish them from a dissection. Grade 3 artifacts and pitfalls could not be distinguished from a dissection without the use of other imaging modalities. Of the 53 cases examined, 34 (64%) had artifacts or pitfalls of grade 1 or higher, 10 (19%) had artifacts or pitfalls of grade 2 or higher, and one case (2%) had grade 3 artifacts or pitfalls. Sixteen cases had more than one artifact or pitfall. Pitfalls and artifacts that mimic aortic dissection occur in a significant percentage of thoracic MR imaging examinations. An awareness of their existence, knowledge of normal anatomy, the use of axial images in all cases with the addition of images in other planes as needed, rotation of phase and frequency gradients as needed, and clinical correlation may avert misinterpretation in nearly all cases.

Aortic Dissection↗

Renal artery stenosis in patients with aortic dissection: increased prevalence.

The authors retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of renal artery stenosis in 63 consecutive patients with aortic dissection who underwent thoracic and abdominal aortography. Ten patients (16%) had renal artery stenosis, five with atherosclerosis and five with fibromuscular lesions. Risk factors for aortic dissection were Marfan disease in nine patients, bicuspid aortic valve in one, and hypertension in 54 (including seven patients with Marfan syndrome). If the patients with Marfan syndrome and the patient with the bicuspid aortic valve are excluded, renal artery stenosis was present in 10 of 53 patients (19%) when the cause of dissection was presumably hypertension. This finding suggests that renovascular hypertension is a greater risk factor for aortic dissection than is essential hypertension. The success of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in controlling renovascular hypertension has been proved. In this series, emergent PTRA successfully controlled the hypertension in one patient with a type B dissection, resulting in an excellent clinical outcome. Angiography should be routinely performed on patients with aortic dissections to evaluate for renal artery stenosis.

Adult↗

Aortic dissection: effect of prospective chest radiographic diagnosis on delay to definitive diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the interpretation of plain chest radiographs on the time to definitive diagnosis of aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors evaluated chest radiographs from 75 patients in whom chest radiography was performed before aortic dissection was diagnosed. The radiographs and available comparison images were retrospectively reviewed to identify cases in which aortic dissection should have been suggested before the diagnosis was made. RESULTS: Radiographic reports suggested that only 19 patients (25%) had an aortic dissection or thoracic aortic aneurysm or needed additional imaging of the aorta. No statistically significant correlation existed between interpretation of the chest radiographs and delay to diagnosis, type of dissection, availability of previously obtained images, or presence of characteristic clinical symptoms. Retrospective analysis showed that the chest radiographs of 36 patients (48%) contained sufficient findings to suggest the diagnosis. In five patients, failure to prospectively suggest dissection was associated with a delay to diagnosis of more than 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Although prospective interpretation of the chest radiograph shortened the delay to definitive diagnosis for only a limited number of patients, retrospective analysis suggests that the delay can be shortened for additional patients.

Aortic Dissection↗

Thoracic aortic dissection: diagnosis with transesophageal echocardiography versus MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To compare transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of dissection of the thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection and 10 postoperative patients underwent transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography and MR imaging. Imaging results were compared at independent double-blind readings. Final diagnosis was obtained from consensual review of all corroborative studies. RESULTS: MR imaging depicted the intimal flap in 95% of aortic dissections; TEE, in 86% (P < .05). In surgical patients, the sensitivity of MR in detection of residual dissection was 100% versus 86% with TEE (P < .05). The inferior extent of the dissected lumen was seen only with MR imaging. False-positive results occurred in two cases with TEE and in one with MR imaging. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is superior to TEE in the evaluation and follow-up of dissection of the thoracic aorta. Because the availability of MR is limited, however, TEE should remain the standard modality for diagnosis.

Adult↗

Cervical artery dissection: a 5-year prospective study in the Belluno district.

BACKGROUND: Artery dissection is an unusual cause of ischemic stroke, particularly frequent among young patients. The aim of this study was to collect epidemiological data on artery dissection in a hospital-based community, set up a diagnostic protocol and discover outcome predictors. METHODS: Among patients suffering from cerebral infarction resident in our country, those with clinical and radiological features suggestive of artery dissection were selected. Risk factors, investigative techniques and treatment were evaluated. Patients were subjected to clinical examinations and were regularly tested neuradiologically. RESULTS: Out of 895 ischemic stroke patients, 10 patients with cervical artery dissection (1.1%) were found. Seven patients were treated with anticoagulants and 3 received antiplatelet agents. One posttraumatic artery dissection patient died within a few days of the stroke. None of the patients suffered from a recurrence, while serious disability occurred in 4 of them. CONCLUSIONS: Artery dissection should be suspected in any cerebral infarction patient, especially in young patients without risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases. The treatment of choice consists of anticoagulants. An early clinical diagnosis, strongly supported by radiological tests, is mandatory to start the proper treatment and achieve the best possible outcome.

Adult↗

Endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty in the management of traumatic internal carotid artery dissections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prognosis of traumatic dissection of the internal carotid artery is worse than for spontaneous dissections. Rapid stenting followed by antiplatelet therapy may prevent complications when anticoagulation therapy is not applicable. METHODS: Patients with angiographically proven traumatic carotid artery dissection and hemodynamic significant hemispheric hypoperfusion, or in whom anticoagulant therapy was either contraindicated or failed clinically, were regarded as being at high risk for stroke and were selected for stenting. RESULTS: Ten patients with traumatic dissection underwent stenting. Endovascular treatment reduced mean dissection stenosis from 69% to 8%. During a mean clinical follow-up time of 16 months, none had additional transient ischemic attacks or stroke. Doppler ultrasound studies did not detect any signs of de novo in-stent stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases of traumatic carotid artery dissections, endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty immediately restored the integrity of the vessel lumen and prevented efficiently the occurrence of new ischemic events, without additional anticoagulation.

Adult↗

Neurological symptoms in type A aortic dissections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aortic dissection typically presents with severe chest or back pain. Neurological symptoms may occur because of occlusion of supplying vessels or general hypotension. Especially in pain-free dissections diagnosis can be difficult and delayed. The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between type A aortic dissection and neurological symptoms. METHODS: Clinical records of 102 consecutive patients with aortic dissection (63% male, median age 58 years) over 7.5 years were analyzed for medical history, preoperative clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome with main emphasis on neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Thirty patients showed initial neurological symptoms (29%). Only two-thirds of them reported chest pain, and most patients without initial neurological symptoms experienced pain (94%). Neurological symptoms were attributable to ischemic stroke (16%), spinal cord ischemia (1%), ischemic neuropathy (11%), and hypoxic encephalopathy (2%). Other frequent symptoms were syncopes (6%) and seizures (3%). In half of the patients, neurological symptoms were transient. Postoperatively, neurological symptoms were found in 48% of all patients encompassing ischemic stroke (14%), spinal cord ischemia (4%), ischemic neuropathy (3%), hypoxic encephalopathy (8%), nerve compression (7%), and postoperative delirium (15%). Overall mortality was 23% and did not significantly differ between patients with and without initial neurological symptoms or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic dissections might be missed in patients with neurological symptoms but without pain. Neurological findings in elderly hypertensive patients with asymmetrical pulses or cardiac murmur suggest dissection. Especially in patients considered for thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke further diagnostics is essential. Neurological symptoms are not necessarily associated with increased mortality.

Adolescent↗

Three cases of spontaneous extracranial vertebral artery dissection.

We describe three cases of extracranial vertebral artery dissection that are unusual in both their modes of presentation and their associations with other pathologic conditions. The first patient had Marfan's syndrome and migraine; his dissection was asymptomatic and was diagnosed by chance at the time of repeat angiography following a previous internal carotid artery dissection. The second patient had systemic lupus erythematosus and presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage attributed to an intracranial vertebral artery dissection by the demonstration of an extracranial dissection. The third patient had a minor basilar artery stroke in which dissection had occurred beside a congenital hemivertebra deformity.

Adult↗

Familial association of intracranial aneurysms and cervical artery dissections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms and cervical artery dissections has been described in different families and supports the hypothesis that a primary arteriopathy may play a role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Although the basis for this arteriopathy is generally not believed to be similar among cases of intracranial aneurysms and cervical artery dissections, several similarities exist in the epidemiology of these disorders and a common underlying arterial abnormality may be suspected. SUMMARY OF REPORTS: The medical records of all 175 patients with spontaneous dissections of the cervical arteries who were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1970 and 1989 were reviewed to identify families in which intracranial aneurysms and cervical dissections coexisted. Three families were identified in which intracranial aneurysms and cervical artery dissections were observed among siblings. These families are described in detail. CONCLUSIONS: The familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms and cervical artery dissections within the same families provides support to the importance of a common underlying arteriopathy in the pathogenesis of both these disorders. The underlying vascular defect may, at least in some cases, be inherited.

Aortic Dissection↗

Noninvasive monitoring of internal carotid artery dissection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Internal carotid artery dissection has increasingly been reported as a cause of transient ischemic attack or stroke. However, scarce data exist on the natural history of the arterial lesions and the temporal profile of recanalization. METHODS: We followed 48 patients with 50 angiographically confirmed internal carotid artery dissections by sequential duplex Doppler studies in 2- to 4-day intervals during the first weeks after the onset of symptoms and after 4 weeks in 1- to 2-month intervals for up to 2 years. We assessed sonographic features as well as the frequency and time course of resolution. RESULTS: Initial Doppler findings were abnormal in all patients, most of whom (68%) presented with a characteristic bidirectional high-resistance Doppler signal in the internal carotid artery. Gradual recanalization was found in 68% of the dissections after an average interval of 51 days. Changes of Doppler flow patterns in follow-up studies and features of intra-arterial angiography correlated with the development of internal carotid artery dissection and mirrored the recanalization process. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Doppler sonography provides early recognition of internal carotid artery dissection and monitoring of its resolution. Thus, ultrasound studies may guide clinical decisions according to the development of the dissection.

Adolescent↗

Internal carotid artery redundancy is significantly associated with dissection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Redundant internal carotid arteries have been considered a risk factor in tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and surgical treatment of peritonsillar abscess and also a potentially treatable cause of stroke. However, an association between internal carotid artery redundancy and spontaneous dissection has not yet been clearly demonstrated. METHODS: We reviewed, for spontaneous carotid artery dissection, records of all patients admitted to our institution during the period from 1986 through 1992 with the diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack. We also reviewed 108 percutaneous cerebral arteriograms performed between September 1992 and December 1992 for presence of carotid artery redundancies. RESULTS: Thirteen patients exhibited spontaneous dissection. Of these, 8 of 13 (62%) patients and 13 of 20 (65%) internal carotid arteries, viewed to the siphon, had significant redundancies, kinks, coils, or loops. Of 108 consecutive arteriograms of patients without dissection, in which 187 internal carotid arteries were viewed to the siphon, there were 20 (19%) patients and 22 (12%) of 187 vessels with significant redundancy. Five patients in the dissection group and 2 in the nondissection group had bilateral internal carotid artery redundancy (P = .0019 and P = .0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant correlation between internal carotid artery redundancy and dissection, particularly if redundancy is present bilaterally.

Adult↗

Stroke due to recurrent ipsilateral carotid artery dissection in a young adult.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial carotid artery dissection is a well-recognized cause of ischemic stroke. Recurrent carotid artery dissections are infrequent. Recurrent ipsilateral dissection has only rarely been documented and has not been pathologically verified. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 33-year-old woman presented with a left parieto-occipital ischemic stroke. Angiography demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm of the extracranial left internal carotid artery. There was no angiographic evidence of an underlying vasculopathy. The pseudoaneurysm was resected, and microscopic examination revealed features most consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia with areas of both chronic and recent dissection. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that the frequency of fibromuscular dysplasia as a cause for "idiopathic" spontaneous carotid artery dissection may be higher than previously recognized and that recurrent embolization may occur in the setting of chronic dissection due to redissection of the previously involved vessel.

Adult↗

Infection-associated cervical artery dissection. Three cases.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection remains unknown. Infection-mediated damage of the arterial wall may be one contributing mechanism. We present three male patients with respiratory infection prior to cervical artery dissection. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: Case 1: During an upper respiratory tract infection, a 49-year-old patient developed bilateral carotid and vertebral artery dissection with complete vessel restitution. Case 2: Within 3 years, a 40-year-old patient experienced two episodes of bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, both preceded by febrile upper respiratory tract infection. Case 3: A 52-year-old patient developed right-sided and, 2 years later, left-sided internal carotid artery dissection, each following upper respiratory tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Infection may be a trigger factor in the pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection.

Adult↗

Outcomes of medical management of acute type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the optimal treatment of acute type B aortic dissection remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to report early clinical outcomes of medical management for acute type B aortic dissection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 2001 and March 2005, 129 consecutive patients with the confirmed diagnosis of acute type B aortic dissection were studied. Mean age was 61 years (range, 29 to 94), with 33.3% (43/129) female. Acute type B aortic dissection protocol was instituted with the intent to manage all patients medically. Indications for surgical intervention included rupture, aortic expansion, malperfusion, and intractable pain. All patients were followed-up after discharge. Hospital mortality was 10.1% (13/129), 19% (4/21) when vascular intervention was required, and 8.3% (9/108) when medical management was maintained. Early intervention was required in 21 cases (16.2%), 19 (14.7%) open vascular/aortic cases and 2 cases (1.6%) of percutaneous aortic interventions. Morbidity included rupture (4.7%), stroke (4.7%), paraplegia (8.5%), bowel ischemia (7%), acute renal failure (21%), dialysis requirement (13%), and peripheral ischemia (4.7%). Late vascular-related procedures were performed in 5.2% (6/116) of cases. Univariate risk factors for early mortality were rupture (P<0.0001), need for laparotomy (P<0.008), acute renal failure (P<0.0001), need for dialysis (P<0.0001), and lower extremity ischemia (P<0.0004). The only independent risk factors for hospital mortality by multiple logistic regression was rupture (P<0.0009), and independent risk factors for midterm death were history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P<0.002) and low glomerular filtration rate (<57 mL/min; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Medical management for acute type B aortic dissection is associated acceptable outcomes. Outcomes of other management strategies, eg, endovascular stenting, for acute type B aortic dissection need to be compared with these results.

Acute Disease↗