Ascending aortic elongation and correlative change in overall configuration of the proximal aorta in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis

Structural characteristics of patients with superior vena cava foci initiating atrial fibrillation: Analysis with electrocardiogram-triggered computed tomography

INTRODUCTION

The superior vena cava (SVC) is the most common source of non-pulmonary vein foci in atrial fibrillation (AF); therefore, predicting the existence of non-pulmonary vein foci before the catheter ablation procedure helps construct a proper ablation strategy in preparation for SVC isolation. This study aimed to clarify the structural characteristics of patients with SVC foci initiating AF.

METHODS

We enrolled 331 consecutive patients with AF who underwent cardiac computed tomography imaging before radiofrequency catheter ablation treatment, and they were divided into SVC (+) and (-) groups based on the presence or absence of SVC foci initiating AF.

RESULTS

The SVC (+) group (n = 27) exhibited SVC crescent signs-defined as a curve-shaped SVC with two narrow pointed ends-more frequently (37% vs. 9%, p < .001), and larger right atrial volume (95.6 ± 20.8 vs. 80.5 ± 26.1 mL, p = .004) than the SVC (-) group (n = 304). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the SVC crescent sign (odds ratio, 8.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.21-24.60) and right atrial volume (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04) were independent predictors of SVC foci.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SVC foci exhibited more frequent SVC crescent signs and larger right atrial volumes, and these characteristics may help clinicians choose the appropriate ablation technology.

Diversity and determinants of the sigmoid septum and its impact on morphology of the outflow tract as revealed using cardiac computed tomography

BACKGROUND

The sigmoid septum has been generally evaluated subjectively and qualitatively, without detailed examination of its diversity, impact on the morphology of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), and anatomical background.

METHODS

We enrolled 100 patients without any background cardiac diseases (67.5 ± 12.8 years old; 43% women) who underwent cardiac computed tomography. Basal septal morphology was evaluated using antero-superior and medial bulging angles (bidirectional angulation of the basal septum relative to the LVOT). The eccentricity index of the LVOT, area narrowing ratio (LVOT/virtual basal ring area), aortic-to-left ventricular axial angle (angulation of the aortic root relative to the left ventricle), and wedged height (non-coronary aortic sinus to inferior epicardium distance) were also quantified.

RESULTS

The antero-superior bulging, medial bulging, aortic-to-left ventricular axial angles, LVOT eccentricity index, area narrowing ratio, and wedged height were 76° ± 17°, 166° ± 27°, 127° ± 9°, 1.8 ± 0.5, 1.0 ± 0.2, and 41.2 ± 9.1 mm, respectively. Both bulging angles were correlated with each other and contributed to the narrowing and deformation of the LVOT. Angulated aortic root was not correlated with either bidirectional septal bulge or LVOT narrowing. Clockwise rotation of the aortic root rotation was an independent predictor of prominent antero-superior septal bulge. Deeper aortic wedging was a common independent predictor of bidirectional septal bulge.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of septal bulge varies in normal hearts. Along with deep aortic wedging, the bidirectional bulge of the basal septum deforms and narrows the LVOT without affecting the virtual basal ring morphology.

3D morphometric analysis of ascending aorta as an adjunctive tool to predict type A acute aortic dissection

Background

Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a pathological process that implicates the ascending aorta and represents a surgical emergency burdened by high mortality if not promptly treated in the first hours of onset. Despite best efforts, the annual incidence rates of aortic dissection has remained stable over the past decades. We measured aortic dimensions (aortic diameters, area, length and volume) using 3D multiplanar reconstruction imaging with the purpose of refining the risk- morphology for AAAD.

Methods

Computerized tomography angiography studies of three groups were compared retrospectively: patients affected by AAAD (AAAD group; n=71), patients affected by aortic aneurysm and subsequently subjected to ascending aorta replacement (Aneurysm, n=77) and a healthy aorta’s group (Control, n=75).

Results

Mean diameters of AAAD (4.9 cm) and Aneurysm (5.1 cm) aortas were significantly larger than those of the control group (3.4 cm). In AAAD patients, an ascending aorta diameter greater than 5.5 cm was observed in 18% of patients. Multiple comparisons showed statistically significant differences among mean of the ratio of aortic root area to height between the three groups (P<0.001). In frontal and sagittal planes, the length of the ascending aorta was significantly greater in patients affected by aortic pathology (AAAD and aneurysm) than in the control group (P<0.001). Significant differences were confirmed when indexing the aortic length to patient’s height and BSA, and the aortic volume to patient’s BSA.

Conclusions

Maximum transverse diameter, considered separately, is not the best predictor of aortic dissection. In our opinion, the introduction into clinical practice of measurements of the area, length, and volume of the aorta, as absolute or indexed values, could improve the selection of patients who would benefit from preventive surgical aortic replacement.