Open AccessInfectious Thoracic Aortitis: A Literature Review
Author(s) -
Lopes R.J.,
Almeida J.,
Dias P.J.,
Pinho P.,
Maciel M.J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.20578
Subject(s) - aortitis , medicine , endocarditis , thoracic aorta , thoracic aortic aneurysm , surgery , infectious disease (medical specialty) , aortic aneurysm , infective endocarditis , disease , aneurysm , aorta
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. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.