Four-dimensional analysis of aortic root motion in normal population using retrospective multiphase computed tomography.

Aims: Aortic root motion is suspected to contribute to proximal aortic dissection. While motion of the aorta in four dimensions can be traced with real-time imaging, displacement and rotation in quantitative terms remain unknown. The hypothesis was to show feasibility of quantification of three-dimensional aortic root motion from dynamic CT imaging.

Methods And Results: Dynamic CT images of 40 patients for coronary assessment were acquired using a dynamic protocol. Scans were ECG-triggered and segmented in 10 time-stepped phases (0-90%) per cardiac cycle. With identification of the sinotubular junction (STJ), a patient-specific co-ordinate system was created with the -axis (out-of-plane) parallel to longitudinal direction. The left and right coronary ostia were traced at each time-step to quantify downward motion in reference to the STJ plane, motion within the STJ plane (in-plane), and the degree of rotation. Enrolled individuals had an age of 65 ± 12, and 14 were male (35%). The out-of-plane motion was recorded with the largest displacement of 10.26 ± 2.20 and 8.67 ± 1.69 mm referenced by left and right coronary ostia, respectively. The mean downward movement of aortic root was 9.13 ± 1.86 mm. The largest in-plane motion was recorded at 9.17 ± 2.33 mm and 6.51 ± 1.75 mm referenced by left and right coronary ostia, respectively. The largest STJ in-plane motion was 7.37 ± 1.96 mm, and rotation of the aortic root was 11.8 ± 4.60°.

Conclusion: spatial and temporal displacement of the aortic root can be identified and quantified from multiphase ECG-gated contrast-enhanced CT images. Knowledge of normal 4D motion of the aortic root may help understand its biomechanical impact in patients with aortopathy and pre- and post-surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement.