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Aortic root dilatation in patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection
C Tzourio1, A Cohen, N Lamisse
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France. Tzourio@vjf.inserm.fr
Circulation
|May 20, 1997
Summary
Enlarged aortic root diameter is linked to a higher risk of spontaneous cervical artery dissection in young adults. This suggests a potential underlying defect in the extracellular matrix may be a contributing factor.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Spontaneous cervical artery dissection (SCAD) is a common cause of ischemic stroke in young adults.
- The underlying mechanism of SCAD remains largely unknown.
- A potential link to underlying connective tissue defects is hypothesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of aortic and cardiac morphological abnormalities in SCAD patients.
- To compare these abnormalities with those in ischemic stroke patients without SCAD.
- To test the hypothesis of a generalized extracellular matrix defect in SCAD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted.
- 28 SCAD patients were compared to 84 age-, sex-, and hospitalization year-matched ischemic stroke controls.
- Morphological abnormalities were assessed, focusing on aortic root diameter.
Main Results:
- A significantly larger aortic root diameter (> 34 mm) was observed in 56% of SCAD patients versus 15% of controls.
- Mitral and aortic valve abnormalities were more frequent in SCAD patients.
- Enlarged aortic root diameter was strongly associated with increased SCAD risk (OR, 14.2; P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Enlarged aortic root diameter is a significant risk factor for spontaneous cervical artery dissection.
- Findings support the hypothesis of a generalized extracellular matrix defect in SCAD patients.
- This highlights potential targets for further research and risk assessment.