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Alterations in aortic elasticity in noncompaction cardiomyopathy
Attila Nemes1, Kadir Caliskan, Marcel L Geleijnse
1Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Room Ba304, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
|March 6, 2007
Summary
Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is linked to increased aortic stiffness, a measure of aortic elasticity. This finding suggests potential cardiovascular complications in NCCM patients with heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a recently identified heart muscle disorder.
- NCCM is frequently associated with systolic and diastolic heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate aortic stiffness in patients diagnosed with NCCM.
- To compare aortic stiffness between NCCM patients and age/gender-matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to assess 20 NCCM patients and 20 controls.
- Ascending aortic diameters (systolic and diastolic) were measured.
- Aortic stiffness index (beta) was calculated using blood pressure and aortic diameter data.
Main Results:
- NCCM patients exhibited significantly increased left ventricular dimensions and reduced ejection fraction.
- The aortic stiffness index was significantly higher in NCCM patients compared to controls (8.3 +/- 5.2 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.1, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Patients with NCCM and moderate to severe heart failure show increased aortic stiffness.
- Elevated aortic stiffness in NCCM may result from neurohormonal alterations associated with heart failure.
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