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Aortopathies: From Etiology to the Role of Arterial Stiffness

Giovanni Battista Bonfioli1, Luca Rodella1, Roberta Rosati1

  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Cardiology University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse-wave velocity (PWV), is a key cardiovascular risk factor. Elevated PWV indicates aortic stiffness, predicting risks in conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Aortic stiffness reflects structural and functional changes in the aortic wall.
  • It is linked to aortopathies and predicts cardiovascular risk, particularly in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and nephropathy.
  • Stiffness impacts organ function (brain, kidneys, heart) via arterial remodeling and endothelial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight aortic stiffness as a significant cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • To emphasize the utility of pulse-wave velocity (PWV) in assessing aortic stiffness.
  • To underscore the prognostic and therapeutic monitoring value of PWV.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of arterial stiffness using pulse-wave velocity (PWV).
  • PWV is considered the gold standard for precise assessment of aortic wall properties.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to increased PWV, including elastin decline, proteolysis, and fibrosis.

Main Results:

  • Increased PWV signifies elevated aortic stiffness due to biochemical and structural changes.
  • Higher PWV is observed in conditions like hypertension, diabetes, nephropathy, and genetic disorders (Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome).
  • Aortic stiffness is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Conclusions:

  • PWV is a valuable tool for identifying high-risk cardiovascular patients.
  • PWV assessment provides crucial prognostic information.
  • PWV can be used to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for aortic stiffness.

Keywords:
aortaaortopathiesarterial stiffnessgeneticsheritable connective tissue disorderspulse wave velocity

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