Changes in aortic wall stiffness in men with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the diameter and distensibility of the abdominal aorta in patients with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, and to compare the results with those of normal subjects.


METHODS
Abdominal aortic diameter and stiffness (beta) was measured using echo-tracking sonography in 19 men (mean age 50, range 25-79) and 17 women (mean age 46, range 26-62) with severe alpha 2-antitrypsin deficiency. The results were compared with those of healthy individuals of corresponding age and gender.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the abdominal aortic diameter between controls and patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency when corrected for age, sex and body surface area (men p = 0.20, women p = 0.10). Men with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency showed significantly lower stiffness in the abdominal aorta compared to controls (p = 0.025), whereas women did not (p = 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
No significant difference in abdominal aortic diameter could be detected in patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency compared with controls. However, aortic distensibility in men with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is altered. This may reflect early vessel wall abnormality.
Ahlgren
A R
AR
Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Lund, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
Piitulainen
E
E
Sonesson
B
B
Länne
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*