Assessment of the structure and function of the aorta by echocardiography.

Creator(s)

Anitha Parthiban, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Girish S. Shirali, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2016

Identifier

DOI: 10.1017/S1047951116001219

Abstract

Echocardiography is the primary modality for imaging the aorta for the diagnosis and serial evaluation of pathological conditions. In this article, we review the methodology for optimal echocardiographic imaging of the various segments of the aorta and discuss abnormalities of the aorta including stenosis, dilation including aortopathy and sinus of Valsalva aneurysms, and fistulous communications involving the ascending aorta including aortoventricular tunnel and ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. We review novel echocardiographic measurements of aortic functional properties of the aorta such as elasticity and stiffness, and review the literature on the potential additive value of such measurements for structural assessment alone. Finally, we discuss the limitations of echocardiography in the precise and optimal imaging of the aorta.

Journal Title

Cardiology in the young

Volume

26

Issue

8

First Page

1543

Last Page

1552

MeSH Keywords

Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Rupture; Aortic Stenosis, Supravalvular; Dilatation, Pathologic; Echocardiography; Humans; Sinus of Valsalva; Vascular Stiffness

Keywords

Supravalvar aortic stenosis; aortic stiffness; aortoventricular tunnel; echocardiographic imaging of the aorta; sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

Recommended Citation

Parthiban A, Shirali G. Assessment of the structure and function of the aorta by echocardiography. Cardiol Young. 2016;26(8):1543-1552. doi:10.1017/S1047951116001219