title: Elastic properties of the ascending aorta in young children after successful coarctoplasty in infancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Based on the hypothesis that vascular dysfunction in the ascending aorta can cause morbidity, we undertook this study on the elastic properties of ascending aorta and left ventricular (LV) function in young children who received coarctoplasty in early infancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood pressures (BP) in the right arm and ascending aortic internal diameters determined by M-mode ultrasound at rest and after exercise were measured in 25 patients (mean age, 6.4+/-3 years) and 22 control subjects (mean age, 5.8+/-2.4 years). Ascending aortic stiffness index and distensibility were calculated using BP measurements and ascending aortic internal diameters. In addition, LV parameters (systolic and diastolic function, mass index) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with control subjects, patients had increased stiffness index (at rest: 4.87+/-1.94 versus 3.57+/-1.19, P=0.021; after exercise: 4.33+/-1.91 versus 3.2+/-1.26, P=0.034) and decreased distensibility (at rest: 6.90+/-3.15 versus 8.72+/-2.77, P=0.02; after exercise: 5.69+/-2.39 versus 7.88+/-3.44 cm2 dyn(-1) 10(-6), P=0.023). BP and LV parameters showed no consistent differences between the two groups. In patients, distensibility was significantly correlated with systolic BP (at rest: P=0.008; after exercise: P=0.014) and pulse pressure (at rest: P=0.013; after exercise: P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that vasculopathy of ascending aorta is possible in some young children despite early correction. However, long-term tracking study is needed to clarify the significance of the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gi Beom
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soo Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Yong Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Chung Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Jeong Ryul
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000502:physiology*; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology