How aorta shape affects dissection risk and stability
Official title: A Geometric and Morphoelastic Study of Aortic Dissection Evolution
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11118801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses routine CT angiograms and new math to find patterns in aortic shape that help predict which type B aortic dissections are stable or likely to worsen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $502,193 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL159205-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with type B aortic dissection who have CT angiography images available or are willing to share their past CTA scans for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CT imaging of the aorta, those with other aortic conditions not related to type B dissection, or individuals whose care does not involve CTA are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze CT angiography scans from people with type B aortic dissection and apply tools from geometry, mechanics, and computer vision to find hidden shape features linked to fragility. They will build image-based algorithms that learn from existing patient scans to classify aortic stability and forecast risk of progression. Models will be trained and tested on clinical imaging data with the goal of producing methods that can work on routine CTAs. The team aims to create a clinically usable tool to help personalize timing of interventions based on a person’s aortic geometry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict which type B dissections need earlier intervention and which can be safely monitored, improving personalized care.
How similar studies have gone: Some small studies using biomechanics and imaging have shown promise, but combining advanced differential geometry and computer-vision analysis on large CTA datasets is a relatively new and not-yet-established approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pocivavsek, Luka — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Pocivavsek, Luka
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving Outcomes in Vascular Disease for Aortic Dissection: Upfront TEVAR vs Surveillance
A large US study will compare starting treatment with a repair procedure plus medicine to medicine alone with careful follow-up in people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.
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Improving Outcomes in Aortic Dissection: Upfront TEVAR vs Surveillance (IMPROVE-AD) for Uncomplicated Type B Dissection
A large, patient-friendly study will compare starting with medicine plus an upfront TEVAR procedure versus medicine with careful monitoring for people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.
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IMPROVE-AD: Better outcomes for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection
A large patient study in the US will compare starting with medical care plus upfront TEVAR versus medical care with monitoring alone to see which approach leads to better outcomes for people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.
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Upfront TEVAR plus medical therapy vs lifelong monitoring for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection
A large US study tests whether adding early TEVAR to standard medical care helps people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection live better than medical care alone with ongoing monitoring.
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Non-invasive 4D flow MRI to predict risk in aortic dissection
A study using 4D flow MRI to help doctors predict which patients with aortic dissection are at higher long-term risk so they can tailor treatment.
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Early aortic stent plus medicine versus medicine with watchful waiting for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection
This compares giving an early aortic stent graft plus medicines to using medicines with close follow-up for people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection to find which approach leads to better outcomes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.