Dilatation of the ascending aorta is a common finding in the elderly but unusual in younger patients.
Pathology
In adults, an ascending aortic diameter greater than 4 cm is considered to indicate dilatation 4. Aneurysmal dilatation is considered when the ascending aortic diameter reaches or exceeds 1.5 times the expected normal diameter (equal to or greater than 5 cm).
Aetiology
Causes include 1:
- senile / atherosclerotic ectasia / hypertension
- aneurysm of the ascending aorta
- aortic dissection (Stanford type A / DeBakey type I and II)
- aortic valve
- coarctation of the aorta
- patent ductus arteriosus
-
aortitis
- Kawasaki disease (mild aortic root dilatation is common 3)
- syphilis
- congenital heart disease
- connective tissue disorders