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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 4/2020

01-04-2020 | Thoracic Aortic Disease | Original Scientific Report

Tortuosity of the Descending Thoracic Aorta in Patients with Aneurysm and Type B Dissection

Authors: Viony M. Belvroy, Hector W. L. de Beaufort, Joost A. van Herwaarden, Jean Bismuth, Gabriele Piffaretti, Frans L. Moll, Santi Trimarchi

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 4/2020

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Abstract

Objective

Tortuosity in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) comes with aging and increases the risk of endoleaks after TEVAR. With this report, we would like to define and classify tortuosity in the DTA of patients with thoracic aortic disease.

Methods

Retrospective case–control study of two hundred seven patients, comparing sixty-nine controls without aortic disease (CG), to sixty-nine patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (AG) and sixty-nine patients with type B aortic dissection (DG). 3Mensio Vascular software was used to analyze CTA scans and collect the following measurements; tortuosity index, curvature ratio and the maximum tortuosity of the DTA. The DTA was divided into four equal zones. The maximum tortuosity was divided into three groups: low (<30°), moderate (30°–60°) and high tortuosity (>60°).

Results

Compared to the CG, tortuosity was more pronounced in the DG, and even more in the AG, evidenced by the tortuosity index (1.11 vs. 1.20 vs. 1.31; p < 0.001), curvature ratio (1.00 vs. 1.01 vs. 1.03; p < 0.001), maximum tortuosity in degrees (28.17 vs. 33.29 vs. 43.83; p < 0.001) and group of tortuosity (p < 0.001). The maximum tortuosity was further distal for the DG and AG, evidenced by the zone of maximum tortuosity (4A vs. 4B vs. 4B; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study shows that tortuosity in the DTA is more prominent in diseased aortas, especially in aneurysmal disease. This phenomenon needs to be taken into account during planning of TEVAR to prevent stent graft-related complications and to obtain positive long-term outcome.
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Metadata
Title
Tortuosity of the Descending Thoracic Aorta in Patients with Aneurysm and Type B Dissection
Authors
Viony M. Belvroy
Hector W. L. de Beaufort
Joost A. van Herwaarden
Jean Bismuth
Gabriele Piffaretti
Frans L. Moll
Santi Trimarchi
Publication date
01-04-2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-019-05328-w

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