Infectious thoracic aortitis: a literature review

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Lopes RJ (Author) FMUP; Almeida J (Author) FMUP; Dias PJ (Author) Other; Pinho P (Author) FMUP; Maciel MJ (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Clinical Cardiology

Vol. 32 No. 9

Pages: 488-490

ISSN: 0160-9289

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Abstract (EN): Infectious thoracic aortitis (IA) remains a rare disease, especially after the appearance of antibiotics. However, if left untreated it is always lethal. It usually affects patients with atherosclerotic aortic disease and/or infective endocarditis. Mycotic aneurysm is the most common form of presentation, although a few reports of nonaneurysmal infectious thoracic aortitis have also been described. Various microorganisms have been associated with infectious thoracic aortitis, most commonly Staphylococcal, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Salmonella species. It is extremely important to establish an early diagnosis of IA, because this condition is potentially life-threatening. However, diagnosis is frequently delayed since clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific. Antibiotherapy in combination with complete surgical excision of the infected aorta is the best choice of treatment.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific