title: Aortic distensibility in post-stenotic aortic dilatation: the effect of co-existing coronary artery disease.
abstract: Aortic distensibility is decreased in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the angiographically normal aorta. To determine if the same is true in patients with aortic stenosis and post-stenotic dilatation, two groups were studied. Group A consisted of 15 patients with post-stenotic aortic dilatation and normal coronary arteries, and group B, 14 patients with post-stenotic aortic dilatation and CAD. The patients were compared to 18 normal subjects. The area of the first 6 cm of the aorta above the valve obtained by aortography was planimetered and the mean diameters were calculated. Distensibility was calculated using the formula: (formula; see text) Distensibility was greater in group A (2.5 +- .4 cm2.dynes-1) compared to group B (1.0 +- 8 cm2.dynes-1, p less than 0.001). Distensibility in normal subjects reported recently from this laboratory (3.4 +- .4 cm2.dynes-1) was greater compared to both groups A and B (p less than 0.001). Thus, distensibility was decreased in patients with post-stenotic aortic dilatation. The further decrease in distensibility in patients with co-existing coronary artery disease may be partially related to abnormal nutrition of the arterial wall since the vasa vasorum of the ascending aorta are derived from the coronary arteries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wooley
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kolibash
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boudoulas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular