Assessment of the structure and function of the aorta by echocardiography.
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.
Ward Family Heart Center,Children's Mercy Hospital,Kansas City,Missouri,United States of America.
Anitha
A
Parthiban
Ward Family Heart Center,Children's Mercy Hospital,Kansas City,Missouri,United States of America.
Girish
G
Shirali
D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D021921:Aortic Stenosis, Supravalvular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
Supravalvar aortic stenosis; aortic stiffness; aortoventricular tunnel; echocardiographic imaging of the aorta; sinus of Valsalva aneurysm