Risk Factors for Stiffness of the Wall of the Thoracic Aorta in Patients With Mild Atherosis

Yoichi Uechi; Osahiko Sunagawa; Naoki Ishikawa; Taku Inoue; Masahiro Tamashiro; Tomomasa Kamiyama; Tsutomu Suzuki; Takashi Touma; Koshiro Fukiyama

doi:10.1253/jcj.65.409

Clinical Investigation

Risk Factors for Stiffness of the Wall of the Thoracic Aorta in Patients With Mild Atherosis

Yoichi Uechi, Osahiko Sunagawa, Naoki Ishikawa, Taku Inoue, Masahiro Tamashiro, Tomomasa Kamiyama, Tsutomu Suzuki, Takashi Touma, Koshiro Fukiyama

Author information

Yoichi Uechi
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Osahiko Sunagawa
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Naoki Ishikawa
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Taku Inoue
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Masahiro Tamashiro
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Tomomasa Kamiyama
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Tsutomu Suzuki
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Takashi Touma
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
Koshiro Fukiyama
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus

Keywords: Atherosis, Thoracic aortic wall stiffness, Transesophageal echocardiography, Triglycerides

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2001 Volume 65 Issue 5 Pages 409-413

DOI https://doi.org/10.1253/jcj.65.409

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Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that aging is associated with progressive arterial stiffness and widening of the pulse pressure, and pulse pressure has been found to be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of age, blood pressure (including pulse pressure) or atherogenic factors on thoracic aortic wall stiffness in patients with mild atherosis are unclear, so the present study used transesophageal echocardiography to examine 103 consecutive patients with various cardiovascular diseases. The extent of atherosis was evaluated in terms of intima - medial thickness (IMT), and 2 indices of wall stiffness in the aorta were calculated: elastic modulus and stiffness parameter (β). In subjects with mild atherosis (IMT <1.0 mm), age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglyceride level, and hypertension were factors significantly associated with high wall stiffness, and multiple logistic stepwise analysis revealed that age, pulse pressure, and triglyceride level were particularly significant. (Jpn Circ J 2001; 65: 409 - 413)

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