| aortic dissection: aetiology | <radiology> Usually degenerative, due to aging, increased risk: hypertension, bicuspic aortic valve, aortic coarctation, pregnancy, connective tissue disorder (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos), skeletal abnormalities (scoliosis, pectus), mycotic aneurysm, Takayasu (giant cell) arteritis, aortic laceration see also: classification (12 Dec 1998) |
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| aortic dissection: classification | <radiology> DeBakey: I ascending aorta to arch with or without descending aorta (30%), II ascending aorta only (20%), III descending aorta to thoracic aorta (50%), Stanford: A involvement of ascending aorta (regardless of origin), B aortic arch and distal aorta see also: aetiology mnemomics: 1 A.D. (DeBakey), A = Ascending (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic dwarfism | Underdevelopment of physical stature associated with severe aortic stenosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic facies | The pale sallow complexion of one suffering from incompetence of the aortic valve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic foramen | The opening in the diaphragm bounded by the two crura, the vertebral column, and the median arcuate ligament, through which pass the aorta and thoracic duct. Synonym: hiatus aorticus, aortic foramen, aortic opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic hiatus | The opening in the diaphragm bounded by the two crura, the vertebral column, and the median arcuate ligament, through which pass the aorta and thoracic duct. Synonym: hiatus aorticus, aortic foramen, aortic opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic incompetence | Defective closure of the aortic valve permitting regurgitation into the left ventricle during diastole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic insufficiency | A congenital or acquired heart valve abnormality that results in the abnormal back flow of blood in the aorta, through an incompetent aortic valve and into the left ventricle. Chronic aortic insufficiency leads to enlargement of the left ventricle and pulmonary congestion. If left uncorrected, congestive heart failure will result. Aortic valve replacement is eventually necessary in most cases of significant valvular incompetence. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic knob | The prominent shadow of the aortic arch on a frontal chest radiograph. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic knuckle | The contour of the aortic arch protruding from the mediastinal silhouette in an anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the chest. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic laceration | <radiology> Deceleration injury, 80% at aortic isthmus (just distal to insertion of lig. Arteriosum), other sites: proximal ascending aorta, descending aorta at diaphragmatic hiatus, transverse aortic arch, laceration usually transverse, all layers involved in only 40% (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic lymphatic plexus | A plexus of lymph nodes and connecting vessels lying along the lower portion of the abdominal aorta. Synonym: plexus aorticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic murmur | A murmur produced at the aortic orifice, either obstructive or regurgitant. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the vagus which ends in the aortic arch and base of the heart; composed entirely of afferent fibres; its stimulation elicits a brainstem reflex which causes slowing of the heart, dilation of the peripheral vessels, and a fall in blood pressure. Synonym: Cyon's nerve, depressor nerve of Ludwig, Ludwig's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic notch | The notch in a sphygmographic tracing caused by rebound following closure of the aortic valves. (05 Mar 2000) |
| supravalvar aortic stenosis syndrome | <syndrome> Supravalvar aortic stenosis (usually membranous) sometimes associated with pulmonary valvular or peripheral arterial stenosis but with normal facies and mentality; autosomal dominant inheritance. Compare: Williams syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| supravalvular aortic stenosis | <radiology> Types: localised hourglass narrowing just above aortic sinuses, discrete fibrous membrane above sinuses of Valsalva, diffuse tubular hypoplasia of ascending aorta and branching arteries associated with: peripheral pulmonary stenosis, valvular and discrete subvalvular aortic stenosis, Marfan syndrome, Williams syndrome findings: dilatation and tortuosity of coronary arteries (may undergo early atherosclerotic degeneration secondary to high pressure), narrowing of the supravalvular area (normal root diameter: 20-37mm), normal movement of cusps (12 Dec 1998) |
| double aortic arch | Congenital malformation of the aorta that splits and has a right and a left arch instead of a single arch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| double aortic stenosis | Subaortic stenosis associated with stenosis of the valve itself, both lesions being congenital. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intra-aortic balloon | An externally and intermittently inflatable balloon placed into the descending aorta and which, on activation during diastole, augments blood pressure and organ perfusion by its pulsatile thrust; then, on deflation, decreases the cardiac work with each systole-the so-called counterpulsation principle-by reducing cardiac afterload. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intra-aortic balloon pump | <cardiology, equipment> A device which is threaded into the aorta that augments the strength of the hearts contraction. The counter pulsation, produced by the inflation of a balloon within the aorta, provides an rhythmic increase in aortic pressures. The net effect is an increase in coronary artery blood flow. Intra-aortic balloon pump is a temporary lifesaving measure that is used to treat severe cardiac damage due to a massive heart attack. (27 Sep 1997) |
| intra-aortic balloon pumping | Counterpulsation in which a pumping unit synchronised with the patient's electrocardiogram rapidly fills a balloon in the aorta with helium or carbon dioxide in early diastole and evacuates the balloon at the onset of systole. As the balloon inflates, it raises aortic diastolic pressure, and as it deflates, it lowers aortic systolic pressure. The result is a decrease in left ventricular work and increased myocardial and peripheral perfusion. (12 Dec 1998) |
| thoracic aortic aneurysm | <radiology> Normal size: 4-5 cm, most aneurysms rupture when more than 10 cm, mean age: 65 years; M:F = 3:1 associated with: hypertension, coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms: substernal, back, shoulder pain (25%), superior vena cava syndrome, dysphagia, stridor, dyspnea, hoarseness see: aortic aneurysm (12 Dec 1998) |
| thoracic aortic plexus | An autonomic plexus surrounding the thoracic aorta and passing with it through the aortic opening in the diaphragm, to become continuous with the abdominal aortic plexus. Synonym: plexus aorticus thoracicus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial aortic ectasia | <cardiology, syndrome> The concurrence as an autosomal dominant trait of bicuspid aortic valve often with premature calcification, ectasia and dissection of the aorta and, rarely, coarctation of the aorta. Superficially resembles the Marfan's syndrome. Synonym: familial aortic ectasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial aortic ectasia syndrome | <cardiology, syndrome> The concurrence as an autosomal dominant trait of bicuspid aortic valve often with premature calcification, ectasia and dissection of the aorta and, rarely, coarctation of the aorta. Superficially resembles the Marfan's syndrome. Synonym: familial aortic ectasia. (05 Mar 2000) |