Thoracic Aortic Dissection and Infection

Abstract

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition in which the aortic media is separated, generally by pulsatile flow that penetrates the intimal layer of the aortic wall. This leads to blood to flow between the aortic wall layers, separating the layers apart, which creates a false lumen parallel to the true aortic lumen. The false lumen can propagate distally, proximally, or in both directions from the origin of the intimal tear and affect most branches of the aorta.

Infections of the aorta are associated with several complications, such as aneurysms and sepsis. Infection damages the elastic fibers of the aortic wall, which can lead to aneurysm formation.

The aim of this thesis was to explore the plausible association of infection with thoracic aortic dissection. This systematic literature review was conducted using the database PubMed. A total of 17 case reports and 6 research articles were included in this thesis.

This thesis shows that aortic dissection is occasionally present during a clinically detected pathogen. A definitive conclusion cannot be made on whether infections can cause aortic dissections based on the published literature because most of the publications were case reports. Further research is needed to establish whether aortic infection is a risk factor for aortic dissection.