Contrast Agent Pooling in the Descending Aorta Due to Severe Heart Failure
Author Information
Author(s): Maezawa Yosuke MD, Nagasaki Kazuya MD, PhD, Kobayashi Hiroyuki MD, PhD, Sakai Shunsuke MD, Irie Toshiyuki MD, PhD
Primary Institution: Mito Kyodo General Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Mito, Japan
Hypothesis
Can contrast agent pooling in the descending aorta be differentiated from aortic dissection in patients with severe heart failure?
Conclusion
The pooling of contrast agent in the aorta is likely due to low cardiac output syndrome resulting from reduced ejection fraction and regurgitation.
Supporting Evidence
- Contrast agent pooling is linked to cardiogenic shock or cardiopulmonary arrest.
- This case shows dynamic CT can detect changes in contrast agent pooling.
- Dynamic CT is essential for diagnosing and differentiating between aortic dissection and contrast agent pooling conditions.
Takeaway
This study shows that in patients with severe heart failure, contrast agent can pool in the aorta, which can be confused with aortic dissection, but can be distinguished using dynamic CT.
Methodology
Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was used to observe changes in contrast agent pooling over time.
Potential Biases
No conflicts of interest or potential sources of bias were disclosed by the authors.
Limitations
The case report is based on a single patient, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
An 86-year-old female with untreated hypertension.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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