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Podcast: Mayo Clinic Talks
Episode: Vascular Medicine Series: The New Era in Aortic Imaging
Description: Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.
Guests: Christopher Francois, M.D.
The risk of thoracic aortic dissection increases as the diameter of the aorta widens. A diameter greater than 5 cm is associated with an increased risk of dissection in the general population. Patients with Marfan Syndrome have defective connective tissue and dissection commonly occurs with diameters less than 5 cm. Other health conditions associated with aortic dilation and potential dissection include Ehlers Danlos and those with bicuspid aortic valves. It therefore becomes extremely important to accurately assess the aorta. Fortunately, we now have a variety of i...