Changes in aortic centerline length and curvature predict aortic diameter growth in chronic type B aortic dissection

Objective: Aortic diameter is the primary metric used to trigger surgical intervention in chronic type B aortic dissection (TBAD). This study investigates the correlation between diameter growth and changes in aortic centerline length (CL), centerline curvature (CC), and aortic volume in chronic TBAD. Methods: We retrospectively collected 88 computed tomography (CT) images from 35 patients with chronic TBAD. Eighteen patients had 3 CT images for analysis (CT-1, CT-2, and CT-3), whereas the remaining 17 had 2 scans (CT-1 and CT-2). Three-dimensional geometry and aortic centerlines were reconstructed from each scan, and the mean and maximum TBAD diameters were obtained. The CL and CC from the left subclavian to celiac branch were also obtained. The relationship between the diameter growth rate versus CL/CC growth rate was investigated using linear regression analysis. Results: Between CT-1 and CT-2, the CL growth rate had an inverse correlation with the mean (R=−0.8169,P