Journal of Clinical Medicine (Mar 2024)
Effect of Sex, Age, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Aortoiliac Segment Geometry
Abstract
Background: To investigate the geometry of the aortoiliac (AI) segment and its correlation with sex, age, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Methods: Abdominal and pelvic CTA/MRA scans of 204 subjects (120 males; median age: 53 [IQR, 27–75] years) without AI steno-occlusive disease or scoliosis were retrospectively analyzed. The participants were enrolled consecutively, ensuring the representation of each age decade. An in-house written software was developed to assess AI elongation using the tortuosity index (TI) and absolute average curvature (AAC). Aortic bifurcation angle, common iliac artery (CIA) take-off and planarity angles, bifurcation asymmetry, and deviation from optimal bifurcation were calculated and evaluated. Demographic data, CV risk factors, and medical history were collected from electronic health records. Results: The elongation of the iliac arteries was more pronounced in males (TI: left CIA, p = 0.011; left EIA, p p = 0.023; right EIA, p p p = 0.001). Age significantly influenced TI and AAC in all AI segments (all p p p p = 0.002), aortic bifurcation asymmetry (p = 0.001), and radius discrepancy (p p = 0.027 and p = 0.016), AAC of both CIAs and hypertension (left, p = 0.027; right, p = 0.012), right CIA take-off angle and CKD (p = 0.031), and left CIA planarity and hyperlipidemia (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Sex, age, and CV risk factors have a significant effect on the geometry of the AI segment.
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