BACKGROUND: Aortic dilatation is common in hypertensive patients and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events. Parameters predicting further dilatation during lifetime are poorly understood. AIM: To predict the midterm aortic diameter evolution in a cohort of hypertensive patients with known aortic dilatation at Sinus of Valsalva (SOV) level. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed a cohort of essential hypertensive outpatients without any other known risk factor for aortic dilatation. They underwent serial echocardiographic evaluations from 2003 to 2016. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-two hypertensive outpatients with a mild-to-moderate (37-53 mm) aortic dilatation were followed up for at least 5 years. Mean growth rate was 0.08 ± 0.35 mm/year. No clinical or anthropometric parameters were significantly different in patients with and without aortic diameter increase. Aortic z score (number of standard deviations from the average value observed in the general population) at baseline was inversely associated with growth rate (R 0.04, P < 0.05). Aortic diameter at first visit, demographic and echocardiographic variables were major determinants of aortic diameter at second visit, accounting for about 90% of its total variability. CONCLUSION: Mean growth rate of proximal aorta in hypertensive patients with known aortic dilatation was of about 0.1 mm/year. Dilatation over time is slower in patients with increased rather than normal aortic z score. Eventually, it could be possible to reliably predict aortic diameter at few months from first visit.

Proximal aortic diameter evolution in hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate aortic dilatation: a 5-year follow-up experience

Leone D.
First
;
Tosello F.;Sabia L.;Vallelonga F.;Avenatti E.;Astarita A.;Mingrone G.;Veglio F.;Milan A.
2020-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aortic dilatation is common in hypertensive patients and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events. Parameters predicting further dilatation during lifetime are poorly understood. AIM: To predict the midterm aortic diameter evolution in a cohort of hypertensive patients with known aortic dilatation at Sinus of Valsalva (SOV) level. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed a cohort of essential hypertensive outpatients without any other known risk factor for aortic dilatation. They underwent serial echocardiographic evaluations from 2003 to 2016. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-two hypertensive outpatients with a mild-to-moderate (37-53 mm) aortic dilatation were followed up for at least 5 years. Mean growth rate was 0.08 ± 0.35 mm/year. No clinical or anthropometric parameters were significantly different in patients with and without aortic diameter increase. Aortic z score (number of standard deviations from the average value observed in the general population) at baseline was inversely associated with growth rate (R 0.04, P < 0.05). Aortic diameter at first visit, demographic and echocardiographic variables were major determinants of aortic diameter at second visit, accounting for about 90% of its total variability. CONCLUSION: Mean growth rate of proximal aorta in hypertensive patients with known aortic dilatation was of about 0.1 mm/year. Dilatation over time is slower in patients with increased rather than normal aortic z score. Eventually, it could be possible to reliably predict aortic diameter at few months from first visit.
2020
38
4
716
722
Leone D.; Cina A.; Tosello F.; Sabia L.; Vallelonga F.; Avenatti E.; Astarita A.; Mingrone G.; Veglio F.; Ridolfi L.; Milan A.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1734547
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