Association between serum IgG4 concentrations and the morphology of the aorta in patients who undergo cardiac computed tomography. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakamoto, Aiko; Ishizaka, Nobukazu; Imai, Yasushi; Uehara, Masae; Ando, Jiro; Nagai, Ryozo; Komuro, Issei
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiology. Volume 65:Issue 2(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2014.04.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0914-5087

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease has been suggested to be involved in cardiovascular disorders such as chronic periaortitis. However, it remains unclear whether IgG4-related immuno-inflammation affects the subclinical stages of aortic remodeling. Here, we analyzed the relationship between serum IgG4 concentrations and the morphology of the ascending aorta.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Methods</title> <p id="spar0010">Serum concentrations of IgG4 were measured in 322 patients who underwent 320-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT). We assessed the aortic wall area and intravascular area at the portion between the aortic valve and the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Results</title> <p id="spar0015">In total, 174 patients (54.0%) were diagnosed to have coronary artery disease (CAD) by cardiac CT. The intravascular area was significantly larger in patients with CAD than in those without (893 mm<sup>2</sup> vs. 811 mm<sup>2</sup>, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001). The aortic wall area was slightly, but not significantly, larger in patients with CAD than in those without (183 mm<sup>2</sup> vs. 176 mm<sup>2</sup>, <italic>p</italic> = 0.051). Serum concentrations of IgG4 were significantly higher in patients with an aortic wall area of median or greater size (≥181 mm<sup>2</sup>) than in those with a smaller area (<181 mm<sup>2</sup>) (32.9 mg/dL vs. 23.1 mg/dL, <italic>p</italic> = 0.026). In logistic regression analysis using age, gender, and CAD as covariates, the fourth quartile of IgG4 (≥55.4 mg/dL) was significantly associated with an aortic wall area of median or greater size with an odds ratio of 2.09.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0020">Serum concentrations of IgG4 were found to be significantly associated with the aortic wall area. These findings collectively suggest that immuno-inflammatory processes may play a role in the subclinical stages of aortic remodeling.</p> </sec> </abstract>