Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (Mar 2010)

Thoracic aortopathy in Turner syndrome and the influence of bicuspid aortic valves and blood pressure: a CMR study

  • Hager Alfred,
  • Hørlyck Arne,
  • Hansen Klavs W,
  • Lundorf Erik,
  • Andersen Niels H,
  • Pedersen Erik M,
  • Sørensen Keld E,
  • Mortensen Kristian H,
  • Hjerrild Britta E,
  • Christiansen Jens S,
  • Gravholt Claus H

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1532-429X-12-12
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background To investigate aortic dimensions in women with Turner syndrome (TS) in relation to aortic valve morphology, blood pressure, karyotype, and clinical characteristics. Methods and results A cross sectional study of 102 women with TS (mean age 37.7; 18-62 years) examined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR- successful in 95), echocardiography, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. Aortic diameters were measured by CMR at 8 positions along the thoracic aorta. Twenty-four healthy females were recruited as controls. In TS, aortic dilatation was present at one or more positions in 22 (23%). Aortic diameter in women with TS and bicuspid aortic valve was significantly larger than in TS with tricuspid valves in both the ascending (32.4 ± 6.7 vs. 26.0 ± 4.4 mm; p Conclusions Aortic dilatation was present in 23% of adult TS women, where aortic valve morphology, age and blood pressure were major determinants of the aortic diameter.