Aortic elastic properties in patients with venous thromboembolism.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between venous thrombosis (VT) and atherosclerosis is controversial in recent studies. Aortic elastic properties have a predictive value in detecting early stages of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between aortic elastic properties and VT.


METHODS
Elastic properties of aorta in patients with spontaneous VT, without history of known cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors (n: 31), and in healthy subjects without cardiovascular risk factors (n: 30) were compared. Elastic properties of the aorta were assessed with transthoracic echocardiography.


RESULTS
A significant increase in aortic stiffness index (6.5 ± 1.0 versus 6 ± 0.7, P = 0.03) and a significant decrease in aortic strain and aortic distensibility were found in patients with VT compared with healthy subjects (8.4 ± 7 versus 13 ± 8, P = 0.01, 4.9 ± 4.8 versus 6.5 ± 4.4, P = 0.03, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Elastic properties of aorta in patients with spontaneous VT were impaired. These results may support the role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of VT.
Duran
N E
NE
Kartal Kosuyolu Heart and Research Hospital Cardiology, Istanbul, Turkey. eksduran@yahoo.com
Oğuz
E
E
Duran
I
I
Aykan
A C
AC
Ertürk
E
E
Bayram
Z
Z
Gürsoy
M O
MO
Biteker
M
M
Karavelioğlu
Y
Y
Kaya
H
H
Ozkan
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004548:Elasticity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*