Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What Cardiologists Should Know About Aortic Pathology
Guest: Melanie Bois, M.D.
Host: Malcom Bell, M.D.
Is all aortic disease the same? In this episode, Dr. Melanie Bois reviews the major diagnostic categories of aortic disease and how they influence patient management, including surgical decision-making, surveillance, and genetic evaluation. The discussion involves the causes of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and highlights how pathology findings can provide important clues to underlying genetic syndromes. Finally, Dr. Bois outlines the spectrum of inflammatory aortic diseases and explore key differential diagnoses that help distinguish immune-mediated, infectious, and degenerative processes.
Topics Discussed:
• Are there special diagnostic considerations for the ascending versus descending aorta? What causes aneurysmal dilatation in the ascending aorta?
• How does the underlying cause impact management?
• What should I be looking for in the pathology report?
00:00 Introduction – What Cardiologists Should Know About Aortic Pathology
00:00:35 Is All Aortic Disease the Same?
00:01:30 Why the Ascending and Descending Aorta Are Different
00:02:25 Types of Aortic Aneurysms and Their Causes
00:03:45 Fusiform vs. Saccular Aneurysms Explained
00:04:45 What Pathologists See Under the Microscope
00:06:00 The Aortic Wall and Lamellar Units
00:07:30 Medial Degeneration and Why It Matters
00:09:00 When Genetic Testing Should Be Considered
00:10:20 Aortic Dissection vs. Aneurysm: Key Differences
00:11:35 The Pathologist's Role in Patient Care
00:12:50 Why Pathology Findings Matter for Families
00:14:10 Collaboration Between Cardiologists and Pathologists
00:15:01 Closing Remarks
00:15:19 Mayo Clinic CME and Education Information
What Cardiologists Should Know About Aortic Pathology
Guest: Melanie Bois, M.D.
Host: Malcom Bell, M.D.
Is all aortic disease the same? In this episode, Dr. Melanie Bois reviews the major diagnostic categories of aortic disease and how they influence patient management, including surgical decision-making, surveillance, and genetic evaluation. The discussion involves the causes of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and highlights how pathology findings can provide important clues to underlying genetic syndromes. Finally, Dr. Bois outlines the spectrum of inflammatory aortic diseases and explore key differential diagnoses that help distinguish immune-mediated, infectious, and degenerative processes.
Topics Discussed:
• Are there special diagnostic considerations for the ascending versus descending aorta? What causes aneurysmal dilatation in the ascending aorta?
• How does the underlying cause impact management?
• What should I be looking for in the pathology report?
00:00 Introduction – What Cardiologists Should Know About Aortic Pathology
00:00:35 Is All Aortic Disease the Same?
00:01:30 Why the Ascending and Descending Aorta Are Different
00:02:25 Types of Aortic Aneurysms and Their Causes
00:03:45 Fusiform vs. Saccular Aneurysms Explained
00:04:45 What Pathologists See Under the Microscope
00:06:00 The Aortic Wall and Lamellar Units
00:07:30 Medial Degeneration and Why It Matters
00:09:00 When Genetic Testing Should Be Considered
00:10:20 Aortic Dissection vs. Aneurysm: Key Differences
00:11:35 The Pathologist's Role in Patient Care
00:12:50 Why Pathology Findings Matter for Families
00:14:10 Collaboration Between Cardiologists and Pathologists
00:15:01 Closing Remarks
00:15:19 Mayo Clinic CME and Education Information
