20. Correlation of Aortic Distensibility with Coronary Atherosclerosis in Angina Patients

Abstract

Background

Arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, limited evidence exists on whether arterial stiffening correlates not only with cardiovascular events, but also with subclinical atherosclerotic lesions. This study aimed to provide information on arterial stiffening by the measurements of distensibility at aortic site in angina patients in whom angiographic evaluation allowed guantification of coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods

We studied 137 patients with angina admitted to our hospital for coronary angiography. The measurements of aortic distensibility were carried out in the proximal ascending aorta, 3 cm from the origin of the aorta by a Echocardiography System (Acuson). Patients were classified into three groups according to the angiographic findings: nonsignificant coronary lesions (lumen narrowing < 50%, group A); one(group B); and two or three (group C) coronary vessels.

Results

Age, previous cardiac disease and interventions were progressively greater or more common from group A to C. Other risk factors (serum cholesterol, smoking, history of hypertension) did not differ between the three groups. Aortic distensibility decreased progressively from group A to C (2.41 ±1.77, 1.76 ±1.33, 1.62 ±1.09 cm2 dyne-1 10-6) The decrease in aortic distensibility from group A to group B and C remained significant after adjustment for variables that showed between-group differences such as gender, age, and systolic pressure and showed it to be a specific marker of coronary atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

In patients with angina, aortic distensibility is related to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Lager elastic artery (aortic) stiffening can be considered as a marker of the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, providing non-invasive information.