Aortic z score inversely tied to proximal aorta growth rate in hypertensive patients

A recent study reports a mean growth rate of proximal aorta of about 0.1 mm/year in hypertensive patients with known aortic dilatation. In addition, those with increased rather than normal aortic z score have slower dilatation over time.

“Eventually, it could be possible to reliably predict aortic diameter at few months from first visit,” the researchers said.

This study sought to predict the midterm aortic diameter evolution in hypertensive patients with aortic dilatation at Sinus of Valsalva level. A prospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of essential hypertensive outpatients without any other known risk factor for aortic dilatation. Patients underwent serial echocardiographic evaluations from 2003 to 2016.

In total, 242 hypertensive outpatients with mild-to-moderate (37–53 mm) aortic dilatation were followed for a minimum of 5 years. The mean growth rate of proximal aorta in these patients was 0.08±0.35 mm/year. No significant difference was observed in clinical or anthropometric parameters in those with and without aortic diameter increase.

An inverse association was found between aortic z score (number of standard deviations from the average value observed in the general population) at baseline and growth rate (R², 0.04; p<0.05). Factors associated with aortic diameter at second visit, which accounted for nearly 90 percent of its total variability, were aortic diameter at first visit, demographic and echocardiographic variables.

“Aortic dilatation is common in hypertensive patients and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events,” according to the researchers.