Aortic root dilatation

Aortic root dilatation refers to abnormal enlargement of the aortic root which may be focally aneurysmal or a more diffuse ectasia.

Clinical presentation

Aortic root dilatation is often completely asymptomatic and found incidentally . In rare instances, it may present with a catastrophic complication such as an aortic dissection, aortic rupture, or congestive heart failure from aortic insufficiency.

Pathology

Aortic root dilatation can occur in isolation but is often associated with other conditions including:

• connective tissue disorders
  • Marfan syndrome
  • vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Loeys-Dietz syndrome
• bicuspid aortic valve
• familial thoracic aortic aneurysm disease
• fragile X syndrome