Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging Noninvasive Imaging Approaches to Evaluate the Patient With Known or Suspected Aortic Disease

Both chronic and acute aortic conditions are challenges forprimary care physicians and cardiac specialists. Longi-tudinal progression of chronic aortic diseases and appropriate timing of open or endovascular surgery are usually derived from serial noninvasive imaging studies. Rapid imaging is necessary as not to delay the diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. Given the frequency of missed cases of dissection, atypical presentation, and time-dependent morbidity and mortality, imaging is paramount for diagnosis and treatment of any aortic disorder. An ideal imaging modality will precisely, safely, and rapidly confirm suspected acute or chronic aortic pathology with quantitative informa-tion on aneurysm formation and progression, as well as on tear location, extent, and type of dissection including evalu-ation for imminent complications. Today, invasive angiogra-phy has been replaced by noninvasive imaging strategies wit