Clinical Imaging and Innovations in Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection.

Abstract

Imaging plays a central role in the management of patients with aortic disease. Such imaging can be made particularly complex by changing terminology and definitions, overlapping pathologies, and unfamiliarity with evolving endovascular treatment approaches. This article will review basic principles of aortic imaging that can be applied across a variety of settings and pathologies, with a description of key best practices and potential pitfalls for image acquisition, diagnostic assessment, and reporting. Additionally, the topic of imaging in the setting of endovascular aortic repair will be addressed, as well as a variety of imaging-related diagnostic challenges in the setting of chronic aortic dissection, including surgically repaired type A and uncomplicated type B dissections. Finally, recent developments in advanced aortic imaging will be highlighted with descriptions of several areas of promising research that may yield significant advances in imaging of aortic disease.