Fig. 2

Definition of cut plane location in the thoracic aorta. Cut plane positions were defined at the aortic bulb, in the ascending aorta at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation, in the distal ascending aorta proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk, in the aortic arch between left carotid and subclavian artery, in the descending aorta at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation, and in the distal descending aorta at the level of the aortic bulb