Abstract
Thoraco-abdominal aortic diseases (TADs) include degenerative descending thoracic (DTAA) and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), post-dissection aneurysms, acute aortic dissections (AADs), intramural hematoma (IMH), and penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU). Each of these pathologies shows particular patterns of clinical presentation in acute or elective form. Patients with DTAA and TAAA are often asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, while all TADs present with similar signs and symptoms in acute form. Most diagnostic problems are encountered in relation to AADs, because the presenting symptoms and signs are so many and non-specific, and can be related to virtually any organ. Particular caution is necessary for collagen disorders such as Marfan syndrome, which have a more aggressive behavior. Indications for treatment are stratified by considering the presence of symptoms, complications, the absolute size, the growth rate, and the presence of collagen disorders.
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Odero, A., Arici, V., Bozzani, A. (2011). Clinical Presentation and Evidence-based Indications to Treatment. In: Chiesa, R., Melissano, G., Zangrillo, A. (eds) Thoraco-Abdominal Aorta. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1857-0_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1857-0_7
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