[Aortic strain and distensibility in patients with metabolic syndrome]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated aortic stiffness and factors affecting aortic stiffness by echocardiography in patients with MetS.

The study included 27 patients (18 men, 9 women; mean age 56+/-7.5 years) and 33 patients (20 men, 13 women; mean age 54.3+/-5.5 years) with and without MetS, respectively, according to the ATP-III criteria. Blood pressure, pulse pressure, waist circumference, and levels of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Systolic and diastolic diameters of the ascending aorta were measured by M-mode echocardiography from the parasternal long-axis views, and parameters of aortic stiffness (aortic strain and distensibility) were calculated.

Compared to the control group, patients with MetS had significantly higher values of blood pressure, pulse pressure, waist circumference, and higher triglyceride, glucose, and hs-CRP levels and lower HDL cholesterol level (p<0.05). In the MetS group, aortic strain (9.0+/-3.5% vs. 6.3+/-3.8%; p=0.007) was significantly increased and aortic distensibility (2.7+/-1.9 cm(2)/dyn/10(3) vs. 4.8+/-1.9 cm(2)/dyn/10(3) p=0.001) was significantly decreased. Aortic distensibility was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.269, p=0.03), hs-CRP (r=-0.287, p=0.002), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.533, p<0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.275, p=0.03). In age-adjusted multiple regression analysis, systolic blood pressure (beta=0.8, p<0.001), waist circumference (beta=0.5, p=0.02), and hs-CRP (beta=0.6, p=0.002) were independent predictors of aortic distensibility.

Aortic stiffness is increased in patients with MetS. Using a noninvasive and readily available tool, transthoracic echocardiography, arterial stiffness can easily be assessed, so that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and associated mortality can be decreased through appropriate treatment for risk factors.