Diameters of three major branches of arch of aorta and their correlation with each other, age and gender-A computed tomographic study

Abstract

Objective: Objective of the study was to determine the normal range of the diameters of three major branches of arch of aorta brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), left common carotid artery (LCCA), left subclavian artery (LSA) and to correlate diameters of branches of aortic arch with each other, age and gender. Material and Method: Multi slice CT scans were performed on 84 subjects (both male and female) in department of Anatomy, in collaboration with department of Radiology of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad and Kriti scanning center, Allahabad. The diameters of BCT, LCCA and LSA were measured at just distal to its origin from arch of aorta. Results: Mean diameter of BCT, LCCA and LSA were 1.14±0.20 cm, 0.71±0.16 cm and 0.93±0.17 cm respectively. Significantly high correlation was found between BCT and LCCA (r=0.62, p LCCA). Age had significant effect on diameters (diameters of branches of arch of aorta). Knowledge of normal diameters of branches of arch of aorta is helpful in the cardiovascular surgery, such as stenting and aneurysm. Keywords: Radiological study, arch of aorta, brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery