The Position Relationship Between the Opening of the Three Branches of the Aortic Arch and the Aortic Arch Axis in Normal People

Abstract

Due to the anatomical variability of the three branches of the aortic arch, interventional treatment of arch diseases becomes difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the position of three branches of the aortic arch in normal people and to provide reference data for the customization of aortic arch stents and simplified intraluminal treatment. A total of 120 patients who underwent computed tomography angiography examination of thoracic aorta in our institution were enrolled as per a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria from January 2018 to December 2018. Measurements were carried out using GEAW 4.6 workstation. The parameters recorded were the ratio of the distance from the point where the aortic branch opening intersects the aortic arch to the anterior wall of the aorta to the cross-sectional diameter of the aortic arch. Finally, the position relationship among the three branch openings was determined. The position relationship among the three branches openings is divided into three categories. Type I: Two of the branch openings are completely surrounded by the boundary of the other branch. Type II: There is no inclusion relationship between the three branch openings. Type III: One branch opening is surrounded by the boundary of the other branch. In type I, there were 23 cases (19.2%); in type II, 37 cases (30.8%); and in type III, 60 cases (50%). These three position relationships were not significantly different between sexes and different ages (P>0.05). These data were used to design a possible stent model. This study reveals that the position of three aortic branches exhibits distinct patterns divided into 3 types. Based on measurements of the opening position of the three branches, the position relationship between the 3 branches can be obtained to provide a theoretical basis for the design of intraluminal stents and application of the simplified intracavity thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair technology.