Factors Predisposing to Development of Dissecting Aneurysm of the Aorta

Abstract

Eighteen cases of dissecting aneurysm of the aorta are presented to illustrate the factors predisposing to this process. These factors, which include hypertension, arteriosclerosis, trauma, cardiovascular lesions, connective tissue diseases, inflammation, and pregnancy, cause disrup tion of the media of the aortic wall through abnormal hemodynamics, in herent defects in the aortic wall, or insult to a normal aortic wall. There was a close correlation between the predisposing factor and the type of dis section (ascending, descending, or dissection of the entire aorta). Distinc tive radiographic and angiographic features of some of these predisposing factors are reviewed to aid the radiologist in the diagnosis.