Dilation and reduced distensibility of carotid artery in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

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S Makita1, A Ohira, R Tachieda

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Iwate Medical University, Moriaka, Japan. makitas@seagreen.ach.ne.jp

American Heart Journal
|August 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) exhibit excessive carotid artery dilation and reduced distensibility, suggesting widespread arterial abnormalities beyond localized atherosclerosis. This indicates potential systemic vascular changes in AAA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) often coexist with systemic atherosclerosis, yet AAA involves dilation, contrasting with atherosclerotic occlusion.
  • Altered connective tissue metabolism in systemic arteries is hypothesized to cause AAA dilatative disease.
  • This study investigates systemic arterial characteristics, specifically carotid artery morphology and mechanics, in AAA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare carotid artery characteristics in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) against those with other atherosclerotic diseases and healthy controls.
  • To assess intimal changes, diameter, and wall mechanics (distensibility) in the carotid arteries of AAA patients.
  • To determine if AAA is associated with systemic arterial alterations beyond localized intimal disease.

Main Methods:

  • Ultrasonographic assessment of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque, diameter, and distensibility.
  • Comparison of AAA patients (n=102) with age-matched patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO, n=115), coronary artery disease (CAD, n=123), and healthy controls (CTL, n=45).
  • Statistical analysis adjusted for blood pressure and luminal diameter; subgroup analysis for ruptured AAA.

Main Results:

  • Carotid intimal disease in AAA patients was milder than in ASO, similar to CAD, and more severe than controls.
  • Luminal diameters were significantly increased in AAA, ASO, and CAD compared to controls, but excessively so in AAA versus ASO and CAD.
  • Carotid artery distensibility was significantly reduced in AAA patients compared to controls, ASO, and CAD, with further reduction in ruptured AAA cases.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with AAA demonstrate excessive carotid artery dilation and reduced distensibility, even with milder intimal disease.
  • These findings suggest systemic arterial abnormalities, including structural and functional changes, in patients with AAA.
  • The results highlight potential widespread vascular dysfunction associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Abstract

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