Natural history of Type B aortic dissection: ten tips

Medical therapy versus TEVAR for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection

The standard of care in uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (uTBAD) has been optimal medical management. Surgical repair and endovascular interventions are adjuncts in managing complicated type B dissection. Increasing safety and confidence in the thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and recent data indicating long-term complications in medical management of uTBAD has brought a shift in treatment approach. TEVAR at best remains controversial, yet there is a subset, which will definitely benefit from intervention.

Distinguishing acute from chronic aortic dissections using CT imaging features

The aim was to compare computed tomography (CT) features in acute and chronic aortic dissections (AADs and CADs) and determine if a certain combination of imaging features was reliably predictive of the acute versus chronic nature of disease in individual patients. Consecutive patients with aortic dissection and a chest CT scan were identified, and 120 CT scans corresponding to 105 patients were reviewed for a variety of imaging features. Statistical tests assessed for differences in the frequency of these features. A predictive model was created and tested on an additional 120 CT scans from 115 patients. Statistically significant features of AAD included periaortic confluent soft tissue opacity, curved dissection flap, and highly mobile dissection flap, and features of CAD included thick dissection flap, false lumen (FL) outer wall calcification, FL thrombus, dilated FL, and tear edges curling into the FL. The model predicted the chronicity of a dissection with an area under the curve of 0.98 (CI 0.98-1.00). AADs and CADs demonstrated significantly different CT imaging features.

Aortic arch pathologies - incidence and natural history

Endovascular interventions have made significant progress and are moving towards treating diseases of the aortic arch. Aortic arch pathologies incur substantial morbidity as well as short and long-term mortality but the progression is not well understood. This article reviews the current evidence on the natural history of aortic arch aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes, including penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas, acute and chronic type B dissections. Risk factors for disease progression and mortality are also identified with special reference to vascular surgeons.