Abstract

SILVA, José Maria Folgado et al. Is the dilatation of the ascending aorta a marker of dilatation of the abdominal aorta? Relationship between the diameter of the thoracic aorta assessed by echocardiography and the abdominal aorta evaluated by ultrasonography. Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2013, vol.9, n.2, pp.52-58. ISSN 1646-706X.

The identification of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and its elective treatment, before rupture, is important to decrease mortality rates and is the basis of screening programs. On the other hand, many patients undergoing Transthoracic Echocardiography (ETT) share with AAA population demographic characteristics like age and risk factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the diameter of the ascending aorta with the diameter of the remaining parts of the aorta in order to identify factors that could be used to select a sub­group of patients at higher risk of AAA on the basis of ETT information. The study showed that patients who present dilatation of the ascending aorta have increased risk of abdominal aorta dilatation. This observation is consistent with the literature and supports the concept that patients with more than 60 years old in which dilation of the ascending aorta on ETT is identified should be also assessed by abdominal in order to screen for AAA.

Keywords : Echocardiography; Ultrasonography; Abbdominal Aortic Aneurysm; Aorta.

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