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Distal aortic diameter and peripheral arterial occlusive disease
M A van den Bosch1, Y van der Graaf, B C Eikelboom
1Julius Center for General Practice and Patient Oriented Research, Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|December 18, 2001
Summary
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease risk is elevated in individuals with both abnormally large and small abdominal aortic diameters. This study highlights that a small aortic diameter is significantly associated with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Abdominal aortic dilatation is linked to peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).
- Abdominal aortic hypoplasia (narrowing) and PAOD have been understudied.
- Precise data on the relationship between aortic hypoplasia and PAOD are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between abdominal aortic diameter and PAOD.
- To determine if aortic hypoplasia is a risk factor for PAOD.
- To provide precise estimates of this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1572 patients (18-79 years) with manifest atherosclerotic arterial disease or cardiovascular risk factors.
- Patients categorized into tertiles based on abdominal aortic diameter measurements.
- PAOD assessed using the adjusted Rose questionnaire, ankle-brachial pressure index, and clinical signs (gangrene, leg ulcers).
Main Results:
- PAOD prevalence was double in patients at the lowest and highest aortic diameter tertiles compared to the middle tertile.
- In males, adjusted odds ratios for PAOD were 1.7 (lowest vs. middle) and 2.1 (highest vs. middle).
- In females, adjusted odds ratios were 2.4 (lowest vs. middle) and 1.8 (highest vs. middle).
Conclusions:
- Increased risk of PAOD is observed at both extremes of abdominal aortic diameter distribution.
- Both enlarged and narrowed aortic diameters are associated with a higher propensity for PAOD.
- This study is the first large-scale evidence linking small aortic diameter to PAOD.