Evaluation of aortic stiffness (aortic pulse-wave velocity) before and after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures: a pilot study

Kosmas I Paraskevas, Nikolaos Bessias, Chrysovalantis Psathas, Konstantinos Akridas, Theodoros Dragios, Georgios Nikitas, Vassilios Andrikopoulos, Dimitri P Mikhailidis, Zenon S Kyriakides, Kosmas I Paraskevas, Nikolaos Bessias, Chrysovalantis Psathas, Konstantinos Akridas, Theodoros Dragios, Georgios Nikitas, Vassilios Andrikopoulos, Dimitri P Mikhailidis, Zenon S Kyriakides

Abstract

Background: The main clinical criterion for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair operations is an AAA diameter >/=5.5 cm. When AAAs increase in size, specific changes occur in the mechanical properties of the aortic wall. Pulse-wave velocity (PWV) has been used as an indicator of vascular stiffness. A low PWV may predict AAA rupture risk and is an early predictor of cardiovascular mortality.

Methods: We investigated the prognostic value of PWV before and after elective AAA repair procedures. Twenty four patients scheduled for an open AAA repair underwent a preoperative carotid-femoral aortic PWV measurement. A second aortic PWV measurement was carried out 6 months postoperatively.

Results: The mean aortic PWV increased from 7.84 +/- 1.85 preoperatively to 10.08 +/- 1.57 m/sec 6 months postoperatively (mean change: 2.25; 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 3.1 m/sec; p<0.0001). The preprocedural PWV measurement did not correlate with AAA diameter (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rho=0.12; p=0.59).

Conclusions: Whether the increase in aortic PWV postoperatively suggests a decreased cardiovascular risk following AAA repair remains to be established. Aortic PWV should also be investigated as an adjunct tool for assessing AAA rupture risk.

Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; aneurysm rupture risk; cardiovascular mortality; predictor.; pulse-wave velocity.

Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Measurement of the carotid-femoral aortic pulse-wave velocity using an automatic oscillometric device (Dinamap XL, Johnson & Johnson Inc, Raritan, New Jersey USA). For details of the technique see text.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Pulse-wave measurement as recorded by the oscillometric device.

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Source: PubMed

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