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. 2023;30(2):221-227.
doi: 10.5603/CJ.a2021.0003. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Intravascular ultrasound imaging in evaluation of aortic stiffness: A proof-of-concept study

Niya Boykova Mileva  1 , Dobrin Iotkov Vassilev  2
Affiliations

Intravascular ultrasound imaging in evaluation of aortic stiffness: A proof-of-concept study

Niya Boykova Mileva et al. Cardiol J. 2023.

Abstract

Background: Aortic stiffness is a well-known cardio-vascular risk factor. For years, different methods have been studied in the assessment of aortic elastic properties and large arterial stiffness for risk stratification. Herein is an assessment of the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging for the evaluation of aortic elastic properties.

Methods: Intravascular ultrasound imaging of the aorta was performed in 12 patients with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography (CT) evidence for enlargement of the ascending aorta - diameter ≥ 40.0 mm. Mechanical properties of the aorta were derived from the measured diameters and intra-aortic pressure. Paired samples T-test analyses were performed to determine differences between measurements derived by TTE, CT and IVUS.

Results: Mean values of the calculated elastic properties via IVUS of the ascending aorta were as follows: compliance 0.021 ± 0.02; strain 205 ± 4.3; aortic stiffness index 4.3 ± 0.75; elastic modulus 0.31 ± 0.05. On paired T-test analysis maximum ascending aortic diameter measured by CT aortography and IVUS did not differ significantly (t = -0.19, p = 0.985), but a significant difference between IVUS measurements and TTE derived diameters was found (t = 13.118, p = 0.034). On average, IVUS diameters were 2.3 mm larger than the results acquired by TTE (95% confidence interval: 14.21-17.13).

Conclusions: Intravascular ultrasound examination of the ascending aorta provided larger diameters than the ones collected by means of TTE. However, IVUS measurements did not differ significantly from diameters derived by CT aortography.

Keywords: aortic compliance; aortic stress; intravascular ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evaluation of aortic mechanical properties; A. Diastolic cross-sectional lumen area of ascending aorta; B. Systolic cross-sectional lumen area of ascending aorta; C. Longitudinal view of the aorta; D. Simultaneous recording of intra-aortic blood pressure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pathophysiology of aortic stiffness; PWV — pulse wave velocity; LV — left ventricular.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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