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Evaluation of aortic distensibility in patients with essential hypertension by using cine magnetic resonance imaging
1Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime Prefectural Iyomishima Hospital, Iyomishima, Japan.
Insights
Hypertensive patients exhibit significantly lower aortic distensibility across all measured sections compared to normal controls. This suggests hypertension contributes to aortic sclerosis, impacting blood vessel elasticity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- Aortic distensibility is a key indicator of vascular health.
- Understanding aortic changes in hypertension is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare aortic distensibility in hypertensive patients versus normal controls.
- To investigate specific regional differences in aortic distensibility.
- To explore the relationship between hypertension and aortic sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to assess aortic distensibility.
- Measurements were taken in the ascending, descending, and abdominal aorta.
- Aortic distensibility was calculated using changes in aortic area and pulse pressure.
Main Results:
- Aortic distensibility was significantly reduced in hypertensive patients compared to normal controls (P < 0.01).
- This reduction was observed across all evaluated aortic sections.
- No significant differences were found in minimum aortic diameter index or cardiac function parameters.
Conclusions:
- Hypertension is a significant contributing factor to reduced aortic distensibility.
- The findings suggest hypertension promotes aortic sclerosis, impacting vascular elasticity.
- Cine MR is an effective tool for assessing aortic distensibility in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate the exact distensibility in various parts of aorta in hypertensive patients, the authors performed cine magnetic resonance (MR) in 30 normal control (NC) subjects and 30 hypertensive (HT) patients whose age and sex were matched. Cine MR was carried out at transverse sections in the ascending, descending, and abdominal aorta. Aortic diameter and area were measured in the frames of the maximum and the minimum aortic area. Aortic distensibility was calculated from the following formula: (Max area-Min area)/(Min area x delta P), where delta P is pulse pressure. Cardiac parameters were measured with echocardiography in all subjects. Aortic distensibility was significantly lower in HT patients than in NC subjects at each transverse section (P < 0.01). Minimum diameter index (Min diameter/body surface area) and cardiac function parameter showed no significant differences between NC and HT groups. From these findings, it is suspected that hypertension is a strongly contributing factor that promotes aortic sclerosis.