Artery Research (Dec 2009)
P6.05 MRI AORTIC THORACIC ELASTIC PROPERTIES ASSESSMENT COMPARED TO ARTERIAL STIFFNESS ASSESSMENT BY TRANSCUTANEOUS DEVICES
Abstract
Background: Aortic elasticity properties (aortic distensibility, compliance, elastic modulus, and stiffness index) can be evaluated by cross-sectional thoracic aorta areas measurements at 2 times of the cardiac cycle (peak systolic and end-diastolic phases) with PC-cine MRI series. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement between carotid and femoral sites is considered as the gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness and elastic properties of aorta. Obesity is a difficult feature to assess aortic elasticity properties because of methodological problems due to the use of transcutaneous devices. The aim of this study was to assess aortic elasticity properties with PC MRI and to compare the results with PWV assessed by two transcutaneous devices (Pulse pen and Complior II) in 32 consecutive patients presenting an isolated abdominal obesity defined by a waist circumference >102cm in men and >88cm in women (27<BMI<35). Results: Aortic cross-sectional compliance assessed with MRI was inversely correlated with: Pulse Pen PWV (p=0.01, r= −0.44), with the same trend for Complior PWV (p=0.07, r= −0.32). Positive relationship was found between the above 2 PWV measurements and aortic stiffness index computed by MRI. Relationship was stronger for PWV assessed by MRI (p=0.02, r=0.41) and Pulse Pen (p=0.03, r=0.38). The relationship between aortic stiffness index and Complior PWV did not reach statistical significance (p=0.12, r=0.28). Conclusion: In clinical difficult situation like obesity, aortic elasticity can be measured by PC MRI with a good correlation with peripheral PWV assessments.