title: Aortic dilatation and aortopathies in congenital heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review is to summarize the recent data pertaining to aortic dilatation in congenital heart disease (CHD) and to discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology and management of this disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aortic dilatation is a common finding in CHD. However, acute aortic complications appear to be relatively rare. Multiple factors predispose this population to aortic dilatation, including underlying genetics, cellular-based mechanisms, and abnormalities in aortic mechanics and valve morphology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although aortic dilatation is common in CHD, data about adverse long-term outcomes are limited. Optimal disease-specific management strategies have yet to be developed, and further research is needed to guide care in this population.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: May Khan
authors.forename: Yuli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans