Novel measurement of relative aortic size predicts rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysms

Ryan R Davies, Amy Gallo, Michael A. Coady, George Tellides, Donald M. Botta, Brendan Burke, Marcus P. Coe, Gary S. Kopf, John A. Elefteriades

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

455 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Optimal operative decision making in thoracic aortic aneurysms requires accurate information on the risk of complications during expectant management. Cumulative and yearly risks of rupture, dissection, and death before operative repair increase with increasing aortic size, but previous work has not addressed the impact of relative aortic size on complication rates. Methods. Our institutional database contains data on 805 patients followed up serially with thoracic aortic aneurysms. Body surface area information was obtained on 410 patients (257 male, 153 female). We calculated a new measure of relative aortic size, the "aortic size index," and examined its ability to predict complications in these patients. Results. Increasing aortic size index was a significant predictor of increasing rates of rupture (p = 0.0014) as well as the combined endpoint of rupture, death, or dissection (p < 0.0001). Using aortic size index, patients were stratified into three risk groups: less than 2.75 cm/m2 are at low risk (approximately 4% per year), 2.75 to 4.24 cm/m2 are at moderate risk (approximately 8% per year), and those above 4.25 cm/m2 are at high risk (approximately 20% per year). Conclusions. This study confirms that (1) thoracic aortic aneurysm is a lethal disease, (2) relative aortic size is more important than absolute aortic size in predicting complications, and (3) a novel measurement of relative aortic size allows for the stratification of patients into three levels of risk, enabling appropriate surgical decision-making.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)169-177
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume81
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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