MRI-based determination of reference values of thoracic aortic wall thickness in a general population

Abstract

Objectives: To provide age- and sex-specific reference values for MRI-derived wall thickness of the ascending and descending aorta in the general population.

Materials and methods: Data of 753 subjects (311 females) aged 21-81 years were analysed. MRI was used to determine the aortic wall thickness (AWT). Equations for reference value calculation according to age were established for females and males.

Results: Median wall thickness of the ascending aorta was 1.46 mm (5th-95th range: 1.15-1.88 mm) for females and 1.56 mm (1.22-1.99 mm) for males. Median wall thickness of the descending aorta was 1.26 mm (0.97-1.58 mm) in females and 1.36 mm (1.04-1.75 mm) in males. While median and 5th and 95th percentiles for the ascending and descending aorta increased with age in both sexes, the association between age and median AWT was stronger in males than in females for both the ascending and descending aorta.

Conclusions: Reference values for the ascending and descending AWT are provided. In a healthy sample from the general population, the wall of the ascending aorta is thicker than the wall of the descending aorta, and both walls are thicker in males than females. The increase in wall thickness with age is greater in males.

Key points: Ascending aortic wall thickness is greater than descending aortic wall thickness. Ascending and descending aortic wall thickness is greater in males. Thoracic aortic wall thickness increases with age in both sexes. The age-related increase in aortic wall thickness is stronger in males.