Microstructural Analysis of Healthy and Chronically Dissected Human Aortic Tissue Using Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Aneurysmal degeneration is a common sequela in chronic type B aortic dissection leading to aortic wall dilatation that frequently necessitates repair. Analysis of the microstructure of diseased aorta can help to identify regional areas of mechanical weakness that may be prone to rupture or remodeling. Here we utilize diffusion magnetic resonance imaging with a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) framework to analyze tissue specimens from healthy and...