Abstract
Background: Many older patients with aortic stenosis are excluded from surgical intervention due to multiple comorbidities. For these patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a viable treatment alternative. Cardiothoracic computed tomography (CT) provides detailed anatomic assessment of the aortic root structures for patient selection, preprocedural planning, and intraoperative decision-making; however, nonaortic incidental findings are frequently detected. The prevalence and clinical significance of these findings have not been well described. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study examined incidental findings in 209 consecutive patients (96 women and 113 men; mean age, 70 y) with aortic stenosis undergoing preoperative cardiothoracic CT evaluation for TAVI during a 3-year period. Incidental findings were recorded, and medical records were reviewed for follow-up diagnostic examinations. Results: Incidental findings, both significant and nonsignificant, were observed in 85.6% of patients (179/209). Noncalcified pulmonary nodules were the most common incidental finding occurring in 59/209 (28.2%) patients, followed by pleural effusion and emphysema both of which occurred in 34/209 (16.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusions: Cardiothoracic CT obtained for evaluation before TAVI has a high frequency of incidental findings.copy; 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 183-188 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Thoracic Imaging |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- Cardiothoracic computed tomography
- Incidental findings
- Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (tavi)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine