Aortic Diagnostic Tests, Scans, Imaging

Need the Most Advanced Imaging and Aortic Condition Testing? Orange County Trusts Hoag.

Those in need of aortic testing in Southern California and Orange County, including in communities like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana and San Clemente, have a strong ally in Hoag.

First, there’s our Elaine & Robert Matranga Aortic Center. Dedicated to the study, diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can impact the function of the aorta, this unique program offers the area’s most highly-skilled cardiovascular team, next-generation imaging and diagnostics and state-of-the-art treatment options to help those with these often life-threatening conditions. For more information about the Matranga Aortic Center, call 949-764-5314 or contact us online.

Next, for those facing genetic connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and Familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Dissection (Familial TAAD), Hoag offers internationally-recognized expertise through our one-of-a-kind Marfan Syndrome and Related Conditions Clinic.

Directed by Marfan syndrome expert and cardiovascular specialist David Liang, M.D., Ph.D., one of the few physicians in the world who has dedicated his life to the study and treatment of Marfan syndrome and other genetic connective tissue diseases, this program offers life-changing diagnosis and care for those with genetic connective tissue disorders and the aortic issues and heart valve disease they can cause. Meet Dr. Liang here.

Need an aortic diagnosis in Orange County? From testing to determine the severity of high-risk aortic conditions to minimally-invasive diagnostic imaging, there’s just no place like Hoag. So don’t wait, contact us today.

Which Genetic Conditions Can Result in Aortic Issues?

Certain rare genetic connective tissue diseases like Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (familial TAAD) can cause weakness in the body’s connective tissues. Among other symptoms, that can impact the strength, flexibility and function of blood vessels throughout the body, including the aorta.

The body’s largest and most important artery, the aorta carries oxygenated blood flow away from the heart so it can be distributed to organs and tissues.

Complications of these conditions that can result in damage to the aorta include:

  • Aortic enlargement: In those with these conditions, the walls of the aorta can be weakened to the point that blood flow causes the aorta to stretch — a condition called aortic enlargement or aortic dilation.
  • Aortic aneurysm: Often seen in those with connective tissue diseases, aortic aneurysms are a condition in which the weakened aorta develops a pronounced bulge. If not treated, an aortic aneurysm can become so large that it ruptures. This is a life-threatening condition, with about 40% of aortic aneurysm ruptures resulting in death.
  • Aortic dissection: Aortic aneurysm and aortic enlargement can increase a person’s risk of an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the wall of the aorta. During an aortic dissection, blood can rush between the layers of the artery wall, forcing the layers apart. Like an aortic aneurysm rupture, an aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency.

Visit these links for more information from Hoag about the symptoms, potential complications and risk factors for:

Visit here for more information about the treatments for aortic aneurysms, enlargement, dissection and genetic conditions that can impact the aorta available at Hoag.

How are Aortic Conditions Diagnosed?

Problems with the aorta are often silent killers, causing few noticeable symptoms until a person experiences a ruptured aneurysm or dissection. For this reason, aortic issues are often found accidentally during imaging tests done for other conditions, or after a patient experiences symptoms of aortic dissection, often presenting in an emergency room.

However, if a person has a genetic condition like Marfan syndrome or familial TAAD, or has a direct relative (parent or sibling) with the condition, this can be an important sign that they should get evaluated for genetically-caused connective tissue disorders and aortic disorders themselves.

If you visit a health care provider with symptoms that might suggest you have an aortic disease or an inherited connective tissue that can increase the risk of aortic problems, the physician will usually begin by asking detailed questions about your family history.

These questions will likely focus on whether you or a direct family member has a history of genetic connective tissue disorders, or of cardiovascular problems like heart disease, heart valve disease, heart attack, aortic disease, blockage of the coronary arteries and other issues.

This will likely be followed by a thorough physical exam. Depending on the results of this examination, you may be asked to submit to further aortic cardiac testing to confirm or rule out an issue with the aorta.

Genetic Testing in Orange County at Hoag

Genetic or inherited connective tissue diseases like familial TAAD, Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome are often diagnosed through genetic counseling and testing, which looks at a person’s genetic code for signs they may have the disease or could potentially pass it on to their children.

Hoag’s unique Genetic Counseling Program is a lifeline for people with genetic conditions or a family member with an inheritable genetic disease, helping them find the answers they need to drive treatments and reveal hidden issues.

Hoag’s highly-trained and experienced team of genetic counselors can help collect and document your family history, determine your risk of inherited disease, explain the implications for you and your offspring, help you obtain insurance coverage for genetic testing, explain the results of genetic testing and more.

For more information about genetic counseling and testing at Hoag, call 949-764-5764 or send an email to genetics@hoag.org.

Which Medical Tests are Used to Diagnose Aortic Problems?

There are several types of advanced imaging, medical tests and exams used to diagnose aortic conditions such as aortic enlargement, aneurysm or dissection. These may include:

  • Chest X-Ray: While not as precise as other methods, a chest x-ray is often the first imaging test that reveals the presence of an aortic issue, often by accident. If a chest X-ray shows evidence of an aortic enlargement or aneurysm, physicians will often turn to more detailed imaging tests to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
  • Ultrasound: Ultrasound screening, which uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of structures inside the body, is often used in the diagnosis of aortic conditions. The test can provide crucial information about the size and location of an aneurysm, allowing health care providers to monitor it over time with active surveillance or plan future treatments.
  • Computed tomography (CT Scan): A computed tomography (CT scan) is a type of imaging test that utilizes a series of X-rays taken from multiple angles around the body, knitting them together into very detailed and precise images.
  • Cardiac MRI: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging test that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of cardiac-related tissues and structures, including the heart muscle, heart valves and aorta. Cardiac MRI imaging is particularly useful in helping pinpoint the size and location of an issue with the aorta. In some cases, a special dye may be injected to help the heart and aorta show up better in images.
  • Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): Magnetic resonance angiography is a specialized form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is used specifically to create highly-detailed images of blood vessels, including the aorta. While traditional angiography and cardiac catheterization usually involve threading a catheter through the body to the heart, MRA is a minimally invasive procedure.
  • Echocardiogram with 3D technology: Echocardiography is another tool used to create images through the use of sound waves. At Hoag, we utilize an advanced form of echocardiogram with three-dimensional capability, which allows the health care team to create very high-quality images of the aorta, to help determine the severity of the condition and plan treatment options.
  • Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): If a standard echocardiogram doesn’t reveal enough information about the aorta, physicians may utilize a specialized form of echocardiography called a transesophageal echocardiogram. During this procedure, a doctor inserts a small ultrasound device down the esophagus, placing it closer to the heart and aorta, allowing it to capture images without interference from the chest muscles, ribs, esophagus and other structures.

Visit here for more information about treatment options for aortic diseases.

Searching for Aortic Disease Diagnostics in Irvine, Fountain Valley, Anaheim or Huntington Beach? In Orange County, There’s No Place Like Hoag.

Hoag’s Elaine and Robert Matranga Aortic Center is setting the standard of care for aortic diagnostics and treatment in Orange County, with a team-based approach that puts you and your well-being first.  If you need aortic care in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Tustin or other communities across Orange County, Hoag is here.

For more information about the Matranga Aortic Center, call 949-764-5314 or contact us online today.