Top Things to Know: Thoracic Aortic Disease (TAD)
Published: March 16, 2016
- 43,000 to 47,000 deaths in the United States are attributed to diseases of the aorta and its branches.
- It is not known exactly how many deaths are caused by TAD, but, based on autopsy studies, TAD often presents as death from aortic dissection and rupture and represents 2X more deaths than ruptured abdominal aneurysms.
- TAD includes degenerative, structural, acquired, genetic-based, and traumatic diseases.
- Because TAD presentation can be variable and complex, detection can be missed or delayed especially in the acute setting. It is paramount that all healthcare professionals understand the importance of early recognition and prompt treatment and/or referral for a wide variety of thoracic aortic diseases.
- TAD is often asymptomatic until an acute presentation. Imaging is the only method to detect TAD and determine the risk for future complications.
- Outcomes are better when TAD treatment is done in stable, asymptomatic high-risk patients than in the acute setting. Identification and early treatment is key to improving outcomes.
- Genetic alterations or mutations predispose some individuals to aortic disease. Identification of these generic alterations can lead to early identification of those at risk.
- TAD Guidelines' scope: imaging, genetic syndromes, cardiovascular conditions and inflammatory diseases associated with TAD, acute aortic syndromes, thoracic aortic aneurysms, atheroma and atheroembolic disease, tumors and surgery.
- Additional areas addressed: special considerations in pregnancy, institutional and hospital quality concerns, nursing care and patient/family education, long-term issues, and suggestions for future research directions and issues.
- These guidelines include recommendations for risk evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as surveillance recommendations, to help ensure appropriate quality care and outcomes for TAD patients
Citation
Hiratzka LF, Bakris GL, Beckman JA, et al. 2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic aortic disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Radiology, American Stroke Association, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Society for Vascular Medicine. Circulation 2010. Published online before print March 16, 2010. 10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181d47d48.