TY - JOUR T1 - Sex-specific thoracic aortic dimensions and clinical implications JF - Heart JO - Heart SP - 97 LP - 98 DO - 10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315903 VL - 106 IS - 2 AU - Floor Groepenhoff AU - Hester M den Ruijter Y1 - 2020/01/01 UR - http://heart.bmj.com/content/106/2/97.abstract N2 - Patients with a dilated thoracic aorta are at risk for aortic complications such as aortic dissection or rupture. While these aortic complications result in high mortality rates, aortic dilatation often remains asymptomatic for a long period of time. Therefore, identification and treatment of individuals with a dilated aorta is of paramount importance. This is specifically relevant given that the diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options are available. Currently, the European Society of Cardiology guidelines define an aorta dilated if the diameter exceeds 40 mm. In addition, preventive surgery is indicated for aortic diameters above 55 mm for both women and men.1 Even though thoracic aortic aneurysms are less prevalent in women as compared with men, the consequences are worse for women. Female patients with an aortic dissection have a poorer surgical outcome and die more frequently than men. Also, the growth rate of a thoracic aneurysm is greater in women as compared with men.2 Currently, as medicine advances, personalised medicine has become emerging. The most relevant patient characteristics that have been considered relevant in medicine are age, sex and comorbidities such as diabetes. However, for aortic complications, information on subgroups … ER -