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Influence of Thoracic Aortic Inflammation and Calcifications on Arterial Stiffness and Cardiac Function in Older

L Joly1, D Mandry, A Verger

  • 1Laure Joly, MD, PhD; Department of Geriatrics; CHU-Nancy, 54511 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France, Tel: +(33) 383 15 33 22; fax: +(33) 383 15 76 68;

The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|February 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension and aortic calcifications increase aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) in older adults. Ascending aortic inflammation impacts pulse pressure amplification (PPA), suggesting targeted therapies for the elderly.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular aging research
  • Geriatric medicine
  • Medical imaging in cardiology

Background:

  • Vascular aging involves structural and mechanical remodeling of arteries and the heart.
  • Hypertension may promote inflammation, contributing to increased arterial stiffness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of thoracic aortic inflammation and calcifications on arterial stiffness and cardiac function.
  • To compare these effects in hypertensive versus normotensive elderly individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 30 individuals (≥65 years), with 15 hypertensive and 15 normotensive controls.
  • Measurements included aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV), pulse pressure amplification (PPA), left ventricular function (MRI), and thoracic aortic inflammation/calcification (PET/CT).
  • Quantification of low-grade inflammation biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • Elderly hypertensives exhibited higher AoPWV and greater aortic calcification volume compared to controls.
  • Thoracic aortic calcifications and inflammation significantly correlated with AoPWV variations.
  • Ascending aortic inflammation negatively affected PPA, explaining 13.8% of its variation.

Conclusions:

  • Ascending aortic inflammation is crucial for PPA, while calcifications and hypertension are linked to AoPWV.
  • Assessing PPA in the elderly may offer insights for therapeutic strategies targeting aortic inflammation.
Abstract

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