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Progression of arterial stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis: longitudinal evaluation by cardiac CT

Shane Oberoi1, U Joseph Schoepf, Mathias Meyer

  • 1Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Heart and Vascular Center, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Dr, MSC 226, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|March 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The progression of coronary atherosclerosis is linked to increased aortic stiffness over time. Cardiac CT angiography can assess both arterial stiffness and plaque burden for improved risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Radiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Aortic stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis are key indicators of cardiovascular risk.
  • Longitudinal assessment of their relationship is crucial for understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally evaluate the association between changes in aortic stiffness and atherosclerotic burden using cardiac CT angiography.
  • To determine if the progression of atherosclerosis predicts changes in aortic stiffness over time.

Main Methods:

  • 164 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent two cardiac CT angiography (CTA) scans.
  • Aortic stiffness was measured by aortic distensibility index (ADI); atherosclerosis by segment involvement score (SIS).
  • Changes in ADI and SIS were analyzed using regression models, controlling for baseline characteristics.

Main Results:

  • An increase in segment involvement score (SIS) was a significant independent predictor of decreased aortic distensibility index (ADI).
  • Age and time between studies also correlated with changes in aortic stiffness.
  • These findings held true in both multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Longitudinal cardiac CTA reveals that the progression of aortic stiffness is associated with the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Comprehensive vascular health assessment with cardiac CTA, including stiffness and plaque burden, may enhance risk stratification.
  • Further outcome studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility of this combined assessment.
Abstract

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