Surgical Treatment of Ascending Aortic Aneurysms in Patients With Giant Cell Aortitis Kenton J. Zehr, MD, Alok Mathur, MD, Thomas A. Orszulak, MD, Charles J. Mullany, MD, Hartzell V. Schaff, MD The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Volume 79, Issue 5, Pages 1512-1517 (May 2005) DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039 Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 1 A 7-cm ascending aortic aneurysm involved with giant cell aortitis. Note the glistening cobblestone appearance. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2005 79, 1512-1517DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039) Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 2 Inside view of the coronary buttons and residual involved aorta in a patient with aortic root involvement who was prepared for a valve-preserving aortic root reconstruction. The inflammatory process is grossly evident in the residual aorta, but the morphology of the valve cusps is preserved. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2005 79, 1512-1517DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039) Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 3 Computerized tomographic image showing an ascending aortic aneurysm involved with giant cell aortitis. Note the left posterior thickening of the aorta from the inflammatory process (arrow). The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2005 79, 1512-1517DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039) Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 4 Photomicrograph of cross-section through aortic wall showing near-complete disruption of the elastic fibers and media by the inflammatory giant cell process. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2005 79, 1512-1517DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039) Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 5 Survival curve of patients undergoing surgical repair compared with the expected survival of our age- and sex-matched regional population. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2005 79, 1512-1517DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.039) Copyright © 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions