Pocket-Size Mobile Echocardiographic Screening of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms in Hypertensive Patients.

Ann Thorac Surg

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address:

Published: May 2021

Background: Patients with hypertension may develop a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) that can be asymptomatic but potentially life-threatening. We sought to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic TAA among hypertensive patients with a point-of-care screening program using pocket-size mobile echocardiographic (PME) devices.

Methods: We prospectively performed transthoracic aortic ultrasound using a PME device on patients attending our hypertension clinics between June 2016 and July 2018. The echo examinations were performed by a research fellow to obtain aortic diameter measurements including the aortic sinus, sinotubular junction, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending thoracic aorta through various standard echo views. Images were stored on the PME and transferred to a desktop computer for measurements and further statistical analysis.

Results: During the study period 1529 hypertensive patients (mean age, 62 years [range, 30-85]; 824 men) were recruited. The prevalence of TAA (defined as maximum aortic diameter ≥ 4.5 cm and/or >50% larger than the diameter of the adjacent normal aorta) in our study population was 7.5% (115/1529). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified male gender (odds ratio, 2.120; P < .001) and older age (odds ratio, 1.031; P < .001) as independent factors associated with TAA.

Conclusions: Silent TAA is common among hypertensive patients in Hong Kong. We found the PME device to be effective in detecting TAA in a clinic setting. Such an approach may be useful for early detection of TAA among at-risk patients, allowing aggressive blood pressure control and early surgical intervention to prevent catastrophic complications.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.07.018DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hypertensive patients
16
pocket-size mobile
8
mobile echocardiographic
8
thoracic aortic
8
pme device
8
aortic diameter
8
odds ratio
8
aortic
7
patients
7
taa
6

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!