Dilated aortic root is related to a global aortic dilating diathesis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between the dilatation of the aortic root and the diameters of the rest of the aorta and to identify some related factors that could be used to identify patients at higher risk of presenting with an aortic aneurysm.


METHODS
In 71 consecutive patients with a dilated aortic root identified by transthoracic echocardiography, prospective helical computed tomography was performed. Aortic diameters were measured perpendicular to the flow at seven levels in the thoracic and abdominal aorta.


RESULTS
Ascending aorta diameter showed a moderate correlation with aortic indexed diameters at the thoracic and abdominal level in tricuspid aortic valve patients (r ranging from 0.37-0.56), whereas in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve, a moderate correlation between the ascending aorta diameters and the thoracic descending aorta diameters was observed (r 0.51-0.53). In a multivariate analysis, age was independently related to indexed diameter at all aortic sites (β ranging from 0.06-0.12 per year), whereas aortic regurgitation was independently related only to thoracic aorta diameter (β ranging from 1.17-1.84). Age (P < .0001), body surface area (P < .0001), and grade of aortic valve regurgitation (P = .001) independently predicted aortic volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Different patterns of aortic diameters were observed in patients with dilated aortic root, depending on age, aortic valve morphology, and function. When a dilated aortic root is detected in older patients with a tricuspid aortic valve, an accurate cardiovascular survey that includes the entire aorta is needed. These results provide further evidence about the systemic nature of aortic dilatation.
Alegret
Josep M
JM
Secció de Cardiologia, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Reus, Spain. txalegret@hotmail.com
Calvo
Nahum
N
Ligero
Carme
C
Palomares
Raquel
R
Millá
Lidón
L
Martín-Paredero
Vicente
V
Montero
Manuel
M
Joven
Jorge
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001830:Body Surface Area; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed