Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (Nov 2019)

Repaired coarctation of the aorta, persistent arterial hypertension and the selfish brain

  • Jonathan C. L. Rodrigues,
  • Matthew F. R. Jaring,
  • Melissa C. Werndle,
  • Konstantina Mitrousi,
  • Stephen M. Lyen,
  • Angus K. Nightingale,
  • Mark C. K. Hamilton,
  • Stephanie L. Curtis,
  • Nathan E. Manghat,
  • Julian F. R. Paton,
  • Emma C. Hart

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12968-019-0578-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background It has been estimated that 20–30% of repaired aortic coarctation (CoA) patients develop hypertension, with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) with an incomplete posterior circle of Willis (ipCoW; VAH + ipCoW) is associated with increased cerebrovascular resistance before the onset of increased sympathetic nerve activity in borderline hypertensive humans, suggesting brainstem hypoperfusion may evoke hypertension to maintain cerebral blood flow: the “selfish brain” hypothesis. We now assess the “selfish brain” in hypertension post-CoA repair. Methods Time-of-flight cardiovascular magnetic resonance angiography from 127 repaired CoA patients (34 ± 14 years, 61% male, systolic blood pressure (SBP) 138 ± 19 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 76 ± 11 mmHg) was compared with 33 normotensive controls (42 ± 14 years, 48% male, SBP 124 ± 10 mmHg, DBP 76 ± 8 mmHg). VAH was defined as < 2 mm and ipCoW as hypoplasia of one or both posterior communicating arteries. Results VAH + ipCoW was more prevalent in repaired CoA than controls (odds ratio: 5.8 [1.6–20.8], p = 0.007), after controlling for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). VAH + ipCoW was an independent predictor of hypertension (odds ratio: 2.5 [1.2–5.2], p = 0.017), after controlling for age, gender and BMI. Repaired CoA subjects with VAH + ipCoW were more likely to have difficult to treat hypertension (odds ratio: 3.3 [1.01–10.7], p = 0.049). Neither age at time of CoA repair nor any specific repair type were significant predictors of VAH + ipCoW in univariate regression analysis. Conclusions VAH + ipCoW predicts arterial hypertension and difficult to treat hypertension in repaired CoA. It is unrelated to age at time of repair or repair type. CoA appears to be a marker of wider congenital cerebrovascular problems. Understanding the “selfish brain” in post-CoA repair may help guide management. Journal subject codes High Blood Pressure; Hypertension; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Cardiovascular Surgery; Cerebrovascular Malformations.

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