Abstract: We comprehensively studied morphological and functional aortic aging in a population study using modern three-dimensional MR imaging to allow future comparison in patients with diseases of the aortic valve or aorta. We followed 80 of 126 subjects of a population study (20 to 80 years of age at baseline) using the identical methodology 6.0 ± 0.5 years later. All underwent 3 T MRI of the thoracic aorta including 3D T1 weighted MRI (spatial resolution 1 mm3) for measuring aortic diameter and plaque thickness and 4D flow MRI (spatial/temporal resolution = 2 mm3/20 ms) for calculating global and regional aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and helicity of aortic blood flow. Mean diameter of the ascending aorta (AAo) decreased and plaque thickness increased significantly in the aortic arch (AA) and descending aorta (DAo) in females. PWV of the thoracic aorta increased (6.4 ± 1.5 to 7.0 ± 1.7 m/s and 6.8 ± 1.5 to 7.3 ± 1.8 m/s in females and males, respectively) over time. Local normalized helicity volumes (LNHV) decreased significantly in the AAo and AA (0.33 to 0.31 and 0.34 to 0.32 in females and 0.34 to 0.32 and 0.32 to 0.28 in males). By contrast, helicity increased significantly in the DAo in both genders (0.28 to 0.29 and 0.29 to 0.30, respectively). 3D MRI was able to characterize changes in aortic diameter, plaque thickness, PWV and helicity during six years in our population. Aortic aging determined by 3D multi-parametric MRI is now available for future comparisons in patients with diseases of the aortic valve or aorta

Abstract: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting disease COVID-19 causes pulmonary failure including severe courses requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). Coagulopathy is a known complication of COVID-19 leading to thrombotic events including pulmonary embolism. It is unclear if the coagulopathy also increases thrombotic circuit complications of the ECMO. Aim of the present study therefor was to investigate the rate of V-V ECMO complications in COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective registry study including all patients on V-V ECMO treated at our centre between 01/2018 and 04/2020. COVID-19 cases were compared non- COVID-19 cases. All circuit related complications resulting in partial or complete exchange of the extracorporeal system were registered. In total, 66 patients were analysed of which 11 (16.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. The two groups did not differ in clinical parameters including age (COVID-19 59.4 vs. non-COVID-19 58.1 years), gender (36.4% vs. 40%), BMI (27.8 vs. 24.2) and severity of illness as quantified by the RESP Score (1pt. vs 1pt.). 28 days survival was similar in both groups (72.7% vs. 58.2%). While anticoagulation was similar in both groups (p = 0.09), centrifugal pump head thrombosis was more frequent in COVID-19 (9/11 versus 16/55 p