Measurement of Aortic Root Dimensions by Transesophageal Echocardiography in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND: Normal aortic root dimensions were established from studies from Western countries. As the body size is significantly associated with the aortic root dimensions, Thai populations may have smaller aortic root diameters. AIMS: To elucidate the aortic root dimensions using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study including 150 patients aged >18 years undergoing cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aortic root dimensions (annulus, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction (STJ), and proximal ascending aorta) were measured using two-dimensional TEE. Patients with aortic-root related pathology were excluded. RESULTS: Men constituted 60% of the study population; the mean age was 61.9 ± 12.6 years, and mean body surface area (BSA) was 1.7 ± 0.2 m(2). The absolute dimensions for the annulus, sinus of Valsalva, STJ, and proximal ascending aorta were 22.3 ± 3.4, 32.6 ± 3.9, 26.4 ± 3.3, and 29.3 ± 3.1 mm, respectively, in men (12.9 ± 1.6, 18.8 ± 2.6, 15.2 ± 2.1, and 17.9 ± 2.7 mm, respectively, after adjusting for BSA) and 20.3 ± 2.2, 29.8 ± 3.6, 23.8 ± 2.6, and 27.1 ± 3.1 mm, respectively, in women (13.5 ± 2.0, 19.8 ± 2.3, 15.8 ± 2.5, and 17.0 ± 2.1 mm, respectively, after adjusting for BSA). The absolute aortic root diameters were significantly greater in men at all levels (P < 0.001). The BSA-adjusted diameters were similar for both sexes at the annulus (P = 0.076) and STJ (P = 0.076), except for the sinus of Valsalva (P = 0.010) and proximal ascending aorta (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: This study reports reference values of aortic root dimensions by TEE. The body size should be considered when comparing the aortic root dimensions of Thai populations with the standard normal values.