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[Evaluation of aortic distensibility using cine MR imaging]
M Takahashi1, K Murata, M Mori
1Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science.
Insights
Noninvasive cine MR imaging reveals that reduced aortic distensibility correlates with aging and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. This measurement may help predict CAD in patients with normal cholesterol levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Biomedical engineering
- Radiology
Context:
- Aging leads to arterial stiffening, increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health concern.
- Noninvasive imaging techniques are crucial for assessing cardiovascular health.
Purpose:
- To assess regional aortic distensibility using cine MR imaging.
- To determine the correlation between aortic distensibility, aging, and CAD risk.
Summary:
- Regional aortic distensibility was measured noninvasively in 55 patients (22 with CAD, 33 without) using cine MR imaging.
- Aortic distensibility was calculated from changes in descending thoracic aorta cross-sectional area and pulse pressure.
- Decreased aortic distensibility significantly correlated with patient age (r = -0.762) and was lower in patients with CAD (p < 0.05).
Impact:
- Cine MR imaging-derived aortic distensibility is a valuable parameter for evaluating aortic aging and atherosclerosis.
- This parameter shows potential for predicting CAD risk, even in patients with normal serum cholesterol.
Abstract:
Regional aortic distensibility was measured noninvasively using cine MR imaging to determine whether it correlates with aging or risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-two patients with CAD confirmed by angiography and 33 without CAD underwent cine MR imaging. Thirty-two sequential images were obtained in one cardiac cycle. The cross sectional area of the descending thoracic aorta was measured on both diastolic (A) and systolic (A') images. Aortic distensibility (A.D.) was calculated from the following equation: A.D. = (A'-A)/A/delta P. (delta P represents pulse pressure). Results of a simple regression analysis showed that decreased regional aortic distensibility was significantly correlated with the age of the patients (r = -0.762, p less than 0.005). In addition, the parameter was lower in patients with CAD than those without CAD (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, regional aortic distensibility derived from cine MR imaging is a useful parameter to evaluate not only aging but also pathological atherosclerosis of the aorta. In addition, this parameter might have some potential to evaluate the prediction of CAD in patients with normal serum cholesterol.