Ascending Aortic Elasticity and Related Risk Factors Study on Prehypertension Patients.
BACKGROUND
A new feature of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is to estimate ascending aortic elasticity without additional cost, but its applicable benefit for prehypertension patients is still unclear. The aim of this study is to discuss the characteristic of ascending aortic elasticity for specific prehypertension patients and its risk factors.


METHODS
Coronary CTA examinations of 398 participants were performed using a 128 slicer CT scanner. The differences of 3 ascending aortic elasticity related indices, including aortic distensibility (AD), aortic compliance (AC), and aortic stiffness (ASI), and anatomical measurements were analyzed among the normal, prehypertension, and primary hypertension groups.


RESULTS
No difference was found for normalized minimum cross-sectional diameter and area for the ascending aorta between prehypertension and normal groups. AD, AC, and ASI were significantly different in 3 groups. Between prehypertension and normal groups, AD and AC were found much smaller but no difference were found for ASI; while between prehypertension and hypertension groups, significant differences were found in AD and ASI, and AC was found to a lesser extent. Risk factor study for prehypertension patients indicated that age and systolic pressure were the independent risk factors for AD decline.


CONCLUSIONS
As a byproduct, coronary CTA can provide multiple aortic elasticity related indices for the prehypertension patients, without additional contrast media consumption and radiation dose. It is proofed that the early detection of ascending aortic elasticity index changes, especially for AD are essential for identifying the high-risk individuals in the prehypertension populations.


BACKGROUND
Our public trials registry number ChiCTR-RIC-15007482.
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Chong-Fu
CF
Jia
Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Yi-Nong
YN
Jiang
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Zhi-Qiang
ZQ
Yang
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Xi-Xia
XX
Sun
Healthcare Sector, Siemens Ltd, Shanghai, China.
Yang
Y
Yu
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Hao
H
Wang
Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Yan
Y
Lu
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Ai-Jun
AJ
Chen
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China; wangzhaoqian2000@163.com.
Zhao-Qian
ZQ
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058246:Prehypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
CT.; ascending aorta; blood pressure; elasticity; hypertension; prehypertension