The relationship between aortic distensibility and serologic markers of atherosclerosis.
- Author:
Hyun Kuk KIM
1
;
Jong Chun PARK
;
Sung Soo KIM
;
Hong Sang CHOI
;
Doo Sun SIM
;
Nam Sik YOON
;
Hyun Ju YOON
;
Young Joon HONG
;
Hyung Wook PARK
;
Ju Han KIM
;
Young Keun AHN
;
Myung Ho JEONG
;
Jeong Gwan CHO
;
Jung Chaee KANG
Author Information
1. The Heart Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. jcpark@jnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Atherosclerosis;
Aorta;
Echocardiography
- MeSH:
Aorta;
Aorta, Thoracic;
Apolipoprotein A-I;
Apolipoproteins;
Atherosclerosis;
Atrial Fibrillation;
Biomarkers;
Blood Pressure;
C-Reactive Protein;
Cardiovascular System;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Echocardiography;
Echocardiography, Transesophageal;
Elasticity;
Erythrocytes;
Glucose;
Humans;
Mitral Valve Stenosis;
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain;
Peptide Fragments;
Pulse Wave Analysis;
Vascular Stiffness
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2009;77(1):68-75
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The elasticity of the aorta modulates the entire cardiovascular system. Increasing arterial stiffness with the loss of aortic elasticity is not only a surrogate marker for early atherosclerosis, but also a predictor of cardiovascular events. METHODS: This study included 203 patients (57.6+/-14.7 years, 117 male) who underwent diagnostic transesophageal echocardiography. We investigated the correlation between the arterial stiffness index (beta stiffness index), which is calculated from the distensibility of the descending thoracic aorta and blood pressure, and known serologic markers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. RESULTS: The beta stiffness index correlated significantly with the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (R2=0.243, p<0.001) and intima-media thickness of the descending thoracic aorta (R2= 0.470, p<0.001). It also correlated with age (r=0.465, p<0.001) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (r=0.250, p<0.001). The beta stiffness index was significantly positively correlated with the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT- proBNP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glucose, HbA1c, apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I, and erythrocyte sediment rate. A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the beta stiffness index was associated with the levels of NT-proBNP, hsCRP, HbA1c, and Apo A-I. CONCLUSIONS:The beta stiffness index for the distensibility of the descending thoracic aorta significantly correlates with other parameters of arterial stiffness and serologic markers for atherosclerosis. Therefore, the beta stiffness index can be used as a parameter of cardiovascular events in diseases requiring transesophageal echocardiography, such as atrial fibrillation and mitral stenosis.
