Magnetic resonance of carotid artery ageing in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how the arterial wall of the carotid artery changes with age in normal subjects by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).


METHODS
Carotid CMR was performed in 100 normal subjects (10 per sex per decade) who were free of atherosclerotic risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis. Using three-dimensional computer modeling, the volumes of the arterial wall, lumen, and the total vessel were calculated, and the wall/outer wall (W/OW) ratio was derived.


RESULTS
Wall volume and total vessel volume increased significantly with age in both sexes (p<0.006), and this was more marked in males. The W/OW ratio also increased significantly with age (p<0.001). Lumen volume increased significantly with age in males (p<0.001), but not in females (p=0.1).


CONCLUSIONS
In normal subjects, carotid wall volume increases with age. In men, this vessel wall volume increase is associated with significant remodeling of the lumen and outer wall. These data relating normal carotid findings with ageing are important for further CMR studies of early atherosclerosis.
Keenan
Niall G
NG
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Locca
Didier
D
Varghese
Anitha
A
Roughton
Michael
M
Gatehouse
Peter D
PD
Hooper
James
J
Firmin
David N
DN
Pennell
Dudley J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012984:Software