Elastic properties of the ascending aorta in young children after successful coarctoplasty in infancy.
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.
Kim
Gi Beom
GB
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, South Korea.
Kang
Soo Jung
SJ
Bae
Eun Jung
EJ
Yun
Yong Soo
YS
Noh
Chung Il
CI
Lee
Jeong Ryul
JR
Kim
Yong Jin
YJ
Lee
Jae Young
JY
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