Clinical recognition of acute aortic dissections: insights from a large single-centre cohort study

Extravertebral low back pain: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for consultation in general practice. Currently, LBP is categorised into specific and non-specific causes. However, extravertebral causes, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or pancreatitis, are not being considered.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library, complemented by a handsearch. Studies conducted between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2020, where LBP was the main symptom, were included.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 6040 studies, from which duplicates were removed, leaving 4105 studies for title and abstract screening. Subsequently, 265 publications were selected for inclusion, with an additional 197 publications identified through the handsearch. The majority of the studies were case reports and case series, predominantly originating from specialised care settings. A clear distinction between vertebral or rare causes of LBP was not always possible. A range of diseases were identified as potential extravertebral causes of LBP, encompassing gynaecological, urological, vascular, systemic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, guidelines exhibited inconsistencies in addressing extravertebral causes.

DISCUSSION

Prior to this review, there has been no systematic investigation into extravertebral causes of LBP. Although these causes are rare, the absence of robust and reliable epidemiological data hinders a comprehensive understanding, as well as the lack of standardised protocols, which contributes to a lack of accurate description of indicative symptoms. While there are certain disease-specific characteristics, such as non-mechanical or cyclical LBP, and atypical accompanying symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, or leg swelling, that may suggest extravertebral causes, it is important to recognise that these features are not universally present in every patient.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of extravertebral LBP is extensive with relatively low prevalence rates dependent on the clinical setting. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for extravertebral aetiologies, especially in patients presenting with atypical accompanying symptoms.

Male-Female Differences in Acute Type B Aortic Dissection

BACKGROUND

Acute type B aortic dissection is a cardiovascular emergency with considerable mortality and morbidity risk. Male-female differences have been observed in cardiovascular disease; however, literature on type B aortic dissection is scarce.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all consecutive patients with acute type B aortic dissection between 2007 and 2017 in 4 tertiary hospitals using patient files and questionnaires for late morbidity. In total, 384 patients were included with a follow-up of 6.1 (range, 0.02-14.8) years, of which 41% (n=156) were female. Women presented at an older age than men (67 [interquartile range (IQR), 57-73] versus 62 [IQR, 52-71]; P=0.015). Prior abdominal aortic aneurysm (6% versus 15%; P=0.009), distally extending dissections (71 versus 85%; P=0.001), and clinical malperfusion (18% versus 32%; P=0.002) were less frequently observed in women. Absolute maximal descending aortic diameters were smaller in women (36 [IQR: 33-40] mm versus 39 [IQR, 36-43] mm; P<0.001), while indexed for body surface area diameters were larger in women (20 [IQR, 18-23] mm/m2 versus 19 [IQR, 17-21] mm/m2). No male-female differences were found in treatment choice; however, indications for invasive treatment were different (P<0.001). Early mortality rate was 9.6% in women and 11.8% in men (P=0.60). The 5-year survival was 83% (95% CI, 77-89) for women and 84% (95% CI, 79-89) for men (P=0.90). No male-female differences were observed in late (re)interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

No male-female differences were found in management, early or late death, and morbidity in patients presenting with acute type B aortic dissection, despite distinct clinical profiles at presentation. More details on the impact of age and type of intervention are warranted in future studies.

Male-female differences in contemporary elective ascending aortic surgery: insights from the Netherlands Heart Registration

BACKGROUND

Scientific research regarding male-female differences in ascending aortic surgery is scarce. The objective of this study was to identify male-female differences in presentation, treatment and peri-operative outcome in elective ascending aortic surgery.

METHODS

Elective ascending aortic surgery procedures that took place in the Netherlands between 01/01/2013-31/12/2017 were identified from the Netherlands Heart Registration. Male-female differences in presentation, treatment characteristics, and in-hospital mortality and morbidity were explored.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 887 females (31%) and 1,972 males (69%). Females were older (median age 67 versus 62 years, P<0.001), more often had chronic lung disease (12.3% versus 9.1%, P=0.011), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV (21.5% versus 15.5%, P=0.003), and less often a history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (3.2% versus 5.0%, P=0.033). Isolated supracoronary aortic replacement was performed in 47.7% of females versus 30.6% of males (P<0.001), and ascending aorta with root replacement in 40.6% of females versus 56.7% of males (P<0.001). Females more often underwent concomitant interventions of the aortic arch (33.1% versus 20.2%, P<0.001) and the mitral valve (8.2% versus 5.2%, P=0.002), and less often concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (14.4% versus 19.1%, P=0.002). Overall, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in females (5.1% versus 2.7%, P=0.003). In multivariable regression analysis, being female was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.37].

CONCLUSIONS

This nation-wide cohort shows clear differences between females and males in patient presentation, procedural characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality in elective ascending aortic surgery. Further exploration of these differences, and of modifiable within-male and within-female risk factors, may offer great opportunities in improving treatment and thereby outcomes for both males and females.

[Effect of bilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion occlusion on pathological process of aortic dissection and its mechanism]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of bilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion occlusion (SCG) on aortic dissection and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with 15 in each:blank control group, sham operation group and SCG group. β-aminopropione (666 mg·kg-1·d-1) was given by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks to establish the aortic dissection model. Rats in SCG group were given SCG before the injection of β-aminopropione. Blood pressure and heart rate of the rats were monitored using noninvasive tail artery blood pressure measuring instrument; sympathetic activity was monitored using drug block method; the structure of aortic wall was observed using HE staining; collagen fibers in aortic wall was observed using Sirius red staining; protein expression of Apelin was detected by immunohistochemistry; and the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, 9 was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

During the experiment, the body mass of the sham operation group and SCG group was smaller than that of the blank control group (all P<0.05), and the body mass of the SCG group was larger than that of the sham operation group (all P<0.05). The heart rate and sympathetic activity of the sham operation group were higher than those of the blank control group (all P<0.05), while the SCG group were lower (all P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the aortic wall in the sham operation group was thickening, while that in the SCG group was improved. A large number of collagen-1 in the aortic wall of the blank control group was stained brown by Sirius red, which was lighter in SCG group, and the staining in the sham operation group was the lightest. Compared with the blank control group, the expression of Apelin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein in the sham operation group increased (all P<0.05), while those in the SCG group decreased (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SCG can effectively reduce the incidence and mortality of aortic dissection in rats, which may be related to the inhibition of sympathetic activity and the decrease of collagen-1, Apelin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression.