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Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
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Aortic stiffness and diameter predict progressive aortic dilatation in patients with Marfan syndrome

Gijs J Nollen1, Maarten Groenink, Jan G P Tijssen

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.

European Heart Journal
|July 3, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Aortic stiffness and diameter predict aortic dilatation in Marfan syndrome patients. Annual assessment of both aortic stiffness and diameter is recommended for optimal risk assessment and monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Marfan syndrome patients are at risk for aortic dissection due to aortic dilatation.
  • Aortic diameter alone may not accurately predict dissection risk, especially in the descending aorta.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of aortic stiffness for dissection and progressive aortic dilatation in Marfan syndrome.
  • To determine if aortic stiffness improves risk stratification beyond aortic diameter.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessed aortic stiffness and diameters in 78 Marfan syndrome patients.
  • Follow-up MRI after a median of 71 months evaluated dissection and progressive dilatation (>1 mm/year).
  • Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of aortic dilatation.

Main Results:

  • 5% of patients developed aortic dissection; 26% had progressive aortic root dilatation.
  • Local distensibility independently predicted descending thoracic aortic dilatation (OR=4.14).
  • Initial aortic diameter predicted progressive root and abdominal aortic dilatation (OR=1.37 and OR=1.36, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • Both aortic diameter and distensibility are independent predictors of progressive aortic dilatation in Marfan syndrome.
  • Annual assessment of aortic stiffness and diameter is crucial for risk assessment and monitoring.

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