Abstract

TREJO-NAVA, Carlos Alberto. The role of transthoracic echocardiogram in a case of aortic thoracic aneurysm. Rev. Mex. Cardiol [online]. 2017, vol.28, n.4, pp.206-220. ISSN 0188-2198.

The aorta can be affected by a variety of pathologic processes leading to aneurysm, dissection, or ischemic syndromes. The term aneurysm referring to dilatation, the criterion for definition is controversial. An aneurysm is defined as a 50% enlargement of the normal aorta for a particular body surface area, age, and gender. Another proposed definition depends on the affected segment having a diameter more than 1.5 to 2.0 times normal and represents a pathologically dilated segment of the aorta that has the propensity to expand and rupture. The maximum diameter of the thoracic aorta should not exceed 40 mm. The aorta is a geometrically complex and dynamic evaluation structure is not simple. The aortic aneurysms are associated with degenerative changes, congenital anomalies, inflammatory, micotic, traumatic, or post-stenotic process. The majority of ascending aortic aneurysms are detected as incidental. Echocardiography is the most useful tool for diagnostic evaluation, etiology, progression, risk of rupture, need for intervention and response to treatment of thoracic aneurysms. The predicted aortic root diameter or PARD, the diameter ratio, area height ratio, expansion rate and Z-score; improve the detection and limit the error rates so we must apply them routinely in the echocardiographic examination of patients with suspected or diagnosed aortic aneurysm. Echocardiographic evaluation of the aorta should not be limited to simply measuring the diameter.

Keywords : Aortic dilatation; thoracic aortic aneurysms; echocardiogram.