Background
This study aimed to determine the normal ranges for the height and deflection angle
of the aortic arch and the displacement distances between the supra-aortic branches
in relation to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) in adults
without aortic disease using non–contrast chest computed tomography (CT).
Methods
The CT scans of 700 patients were analyzed. We measured the height and deflection
angle of the aortic arch based on the lower level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation.
The displacement distances between the supra-aortic branches in the coronal and sagittal
planes were measured, and the deflection angles between these branches were calculated.
Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the associations of age,
sex, BMI, and BSA with these aortic arch parameters.
Results
The height of the aortic arch was significantly higher (74 ± 15 mm vs. 65 ± 12 mm,
P < 0.001) and the left-posterior displacement distance of the left subclavian artery
(LSA) to the innominate artery (IA) was greater in men than that in women. The height
and deflection angle of the aortic arch increased with age. The distance by which
the LSA was shifted to the left posterior of the left common carotid artery and to
the left of the IA increased with age.
Conclusions
The normal aging process is accompanied by morphological changes in the aortic arch
and relative displacement between the supra-aortic branches. Identifying these parameters
could lead to a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and morphology of the aortic
arch.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 21, 2022
Accepted:
July 4,
2022
Received:
March 8,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofFootnotes
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding: This research was financially supported by the Peking University People's Hospital Research and Development Fund (Scientific Research) ( RDL2020-12 ).
Author Contributions: Qiaohao Wan: Data collection and analysis and manuscript writing and revising. Xuemin Zhang: Study design, data analysis, and manuscript revising. Xiaoming Zhang: Research concept and manuscript revising.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
