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Bronchial artery hypertrophy is correlated with coronary artery disease

Silvia Tresoldi1, Giovanni Di Leo, Federica Villa

  • 1Servizio di Radiologia Diagnostica ed Interventistica, Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo, Milan, Italy.

Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|August 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with bronchial artery hypertrophy (BAH). In patients without lung disease, BAH may indicate undiagnosed CAD, suggesting a link between the two conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Bronchial arteries (BA) play a role in the systemic pulmonary vasculature, connecting with pulmonary and coronary arteries.
  • While bronchial artery hypertrophy (BAH) is linked to pulmonary diseases, its association with coronary artery disease (CAD) is less understood.
  • Understanding the BA-CAD relationship is crucial for comprehensive cardiovascular and pulmonary assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential association between bronchial artery hypertrophy (BAH) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To evaluate this relationship in patients undergoing computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) without known pulmonary diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 100 patients who underwent CTCA, stratified by CAD severity and treatment (no/non-significant CAD, significant CAD, stented, bypass grafts).
  • Quantification of bronchial artery number and diameter.
  • Correlation analysis between age, CAD status, and bronchial artery parameters.

Main Results:

  • Over 50% of detected bronchial arteries were hypertrophic (diameter >1.5 mm).
  • Bronchial artery diameter significantly correlated with the presence and severity of CAD and patient age.
  • No significant association was found between bronchial artery diameter and pulmonary findings.

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between coronary artery disease (CAD) and bronchial artery hypertrophy (BAH).
  • BAH may serve as an indicator of underlying, potentially undiagnosed CAD, especially in individuals without evident pulmonary pathology.
  • This finding highlights a potential link between systemic and pulmonary vasculature that warrants further investigation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bronchial artery hypertrophycoronary angiography computed tomographycoronary artery diseasepulmonary alterationsspiral computed tomography

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