Thoracic aorta

Question 1

Portions of thoracic aorta

Answer 1

aortic root- AV annulus-sinus of valsalva
ascending aorta stj - brachiocephalic artery
aortic arch - arch vessels to ligamentum arteriosium
descending aorta -ligamentum arteriosum to diaphragm

Question 2

Views for thoracic aorta evaluation

Answer 2

ME AV LAX
ME Ascending Ao LAX
Me Ascending Ao SAX
Descending Ao SAX
Descending Ao LAX
UE Ao arch LAX
UE Ao arch SAX

Question 3

Types of aortic dissection

Answer 3

Debakey
type 1 = ascending ao and descending
type 2 = ascending ao only
type 3 = descending ao only
Stanford
Type A = Ascending ao surgical emergency
Type B= desceding ao

Question 4

true vs false lumen

Answer 4

true lumen higher systolic velocity, flap moves toward false lumen during systole, high velocity jet flows from true to false during systole
False lumen evidence of stasis

Question 5

Flap vs artifact

Answer 5

flap seen in several angles and locations, has motion independent of surrounding structures, does not pass through aortic wall in any view, flow on both sides of flap

Question 6

crawford classification for aneurysms

Answer 6

1- distal to left subclavian artery to above renal arteries
2- distal to left subclavian artery to below the left renal artery
3- 6th intercostal space to below left renal artery
4- total abdominal aortic aneurysm
5- 6th intercostal space to just above the renal arteries

Question 7

grading aortic atheroma

Answer 7

1- none
2- <3 mm
3- 3-5 mm
4- >5mm
5- anything mobile

Question 8

why are beta blockers helpful in type a dissection

Answer 8

decrease ejection velocity
decrease wall stress , rate of contraction , blood pressure

Question 9

what is most sensitive test for aortic dissection

Answer 9

MRI or helical CT.
MRI >TEE = CT > aortography