Document Detail


Impaired elastic properties of ascending aorta in patients with giant cell arteritis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15231510     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in untreated patients with giant cell arteritis compared with age and sex matched normal controls. METHODS: Distensibility of the ascending aorta and aortic strain were measured in 22 patients with a recent diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (documented by a positive temporal artery biopsy) before initiation corticosteroid treatment, and in 44 age and sex matched healthy subjects. Aortic distensibility was calculated as 2x[pulsatile change in aortic diameter]/[(diastolic aortic diameter)x(aortic pulse pressure)], and aortic strain as [pulsatile change in aortic diameter]/[diastolic aortic diameter]. Aortic diameters were measured by echocardiography. Aortic pressures were obtained by external sphygmomanometry. RESULTS: Distensibility of the ascending aorta and aortic strain were both lower in patients with giant cell arteritis than in the controls (p<0.01). In the patients with giant cell arteritis, aortic distensibility was inversely correlated with white blood cell count (p<0.05), but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C reactive protein. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with healthy subjects, aortic distensibility and aortic strain are decreased in patients with giant cell arteritis before initiation of corticosteroid treatment. There was an association between the degree of reduction of aortic distensibility and the white blood cell count in the patient group.
Authors:
P N Margos; I E Moyssakis; A G Tzioufas; E Zintzaras; H M Moutsopoulos
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2004-07-01
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of the rheumatic diseases     Volume:  64     ISSN:  0003-4967     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann. Rheum. Dis.     Publication Date:  2005 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-01-13     Completed Date:  2005-02-24     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372355     Medline TA:  Ann Rheum Dis     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  253-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National University of Athens, 75 M Asias Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aorta / physiopathology*,  ultrasonography
Echocardiography, Doppler
Elasticity
Female
Giant Cell Arteritis / blood,  physiopathology*,  ultrasonography
Humans
Inflammation Mediators / blood
Leukocyte Count
Male
Middle Aged
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Inflammation Mediators
Comments/Corrections

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