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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 3;3(15):1685-1689.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2021.07.010.

Ascending Aneurysms in Heart Transplant Patients: A Rare Opportunity to Assess Heredity Versus Biological Environment

Osama Anis  1 , Gary S Kopf  1 , Bulat A Ziganshin  1   2 , Mohammad A Zafar  1 , Maryann Tranquilli  1 , Richard Sieller  1 , John A Elefteriades  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ascending Aneurysms in Heart Transplant Patients: A Rare Opportunity to Assess Heredity Versus Biological Environment

Osama Anis et al. JACC Case Rep. .

Abstract

Three patients developed severe ascending aortic aneurysm requiring surgical resection after heart transplantation. In all 3 cases, the donor aorta of the transplant remained normal in caliber, despite the development of a large aneurysm in the native upper ascending aorta. The aneurysmal disease did not cross the suture line. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Keywords: TGF, transforming growth factor; aorta; dissection; genetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Elefteriades is a principal of Coolspine; on a data and safety monitoring board for Terumo; and a consultant for CryoLife. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Post-Transplant Aneurysm Images (A) Artist’s rendition of pre- and postoperative anatomy of patient 1, based on the surgeon’s intra-operative sketches. (Left) Preoperative. Note abrupt transition at transplant suture line. (Right) Postoperative. (B) Three-dimensional reconstruction of chest computed tomography scan of patient 2, showing abrupt enlargement at suture line of donor aorta, with enlargement extending into aortic arch. Note also the aneurysmal base of the bovine innominate artery. (C) Axial images of patient 3, showing (left) large upper ascending aneurysm (native aorta) and (right) normal-sized proximal aorta (donor). Drawing by Alexandra Webber of DNA Illustrations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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