AB0967 Determinants of Aortic Wall Thickness in Patients without Aortitis: A Computed Tomography-Based Study. (10th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakhleh, A.; Rimar, D.; Rukhkyan, I.; Wolfson, V.; Rosner, I.; Odeh, M.; Slobodin, G.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 73:Supplement 2(2014)
• Page Start: 1119
• Page End: 1120
• Publication Date: 2014-06-10
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Thickening of the aortic wall, probably the earliest computed tomography (CT)-seen sign of aortitis, is frequently missed as there are no accepted criteria for normal aortic wall thickness (AWT). As aortitis can affect patients in a wide range of ages and with different co-morbidities, information on the normal values for AWT for various age groups, as well as for the presence of co-morbid background, may be essential. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the relationship of CT-measured AWT with patient-related and disease-related variables in a large cohort of patients without aortitis. Methods: CT scans of 250 consecutive patients without known aortitis, hospitalized at Bnai Zion Medical Center were reviewed and AWT manually measured at three levels: 1. thoracic descending aorta at the level of the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery; 2. abdominal aorta at the level of celiac artery origin; 3. abdominal aorta one slice below the level of the origin of renal arteries. Patients' charts were analyzed and demographic data and data on co-morbidities extracted. Correlations with measured AWT were calculated. Results: By multivariate regression analysis, AWT had significant positive correlation with patient age (p<0.000), gender (p<0.03) and the presence of calcifications of the aortic wall (p<0.000). Arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, when present, affected AWT upon univariate analysis only, with correlation lost upon applying multivariate regression. The calculated age-dependent reference values of CT-measured AWT in patients without aortitis are presented in Table 1 . Conclusions: The "normal" range of AWT varies with age, gender and may also vary with co-morbidities. The data presented may serve as a reference and should be considered in the interpretation of the CT-appearance of the aortic wall when assessing for aortitis. Disclosure of Interest: None declared DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1116