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Aortic distensibility associates with increased ascending thoracic aorta diameter and left ventricular diastolic

Helen Triantafyllidi1, Ioannis Rizos, Loukianos Rallidis

  • 1Second Department of Cardiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 83 Agiou Ioannou Theologou, Holargos, 155 61 Athens, Greece. seliani@hotmail.com

Heart and Vessels
|June 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Coronary ectasia may indicate a widespread vascular issue. Patients with coronary ectasia show enlarged aorta diameter and altered aortic wall properties, suggesting a generalized vascular media defect.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is often associated with coronary atherosclerosis, characterized by vascular media destruction leading to dilation.
  • The extent to which CAE reflects a broader vascular pathology, particularly in the aorta, remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate anatomical and functional changes in the ascending aorta of patients with CAE.
  • To compare aortic wall properties in patients with CAE against control groups with coronary artery disease and normal coronary arteries.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was used to assess aortic lumen diameter and wall properties (distensibility, stiffness index).
  • Study included 40 patients with CAE (Group A), 25 with coronary artery disease (Group B), and 40 healthy individuals (Group C).

Main Results:

  • Patients with CAE exhibited significantly increased ascending aorta diameter and stiffness index compared to both control groups.
  • Aortic distensibility in CAE patients was independently associated with aortic stiffness index, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary ectasia is associated with enlarged ascending aorta diameter and increased aortic stiffness, which correlates with diastolic dysfunction.
  • CAE may represent a systemic vascular media defect rather than an isolated coronary lesion, highlighting its potential severity.

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