Interval changes in aortic peak velocity and wall shear stress in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease

This study investigated interval changes in flow and WSS in a multi-year follow-up study. This cross-sectional study included n  = 44 patients with BAV (age = 44.9 ± 12 years), n = 17 patients with tricuspid aortic valve and thoracic aortic dilatation (TAV with dilation, age = 54.6 ± 16.5 years), and n = 9 healthy controls (age = 49.3 ± 14.7 years) underwent baseline and serial aorti c 4D flow MRI (follow-up duration: BAV: 2.6 ± 0.7 years, TAV with dilation: 2.7 ± 0.5 years, controls: 1.1 ± 0.5 years). Data analysis included quantification of aortic dimensions, peak systolic velocities, as well as regional 3D WSS in the ascending aorta. At baseline, BAV patient s demonstrated uniformly elevated peak velocity and WSS compared to TAV with dilation and control groups (peak velocity 2.2 m/s vs. 1.6 m/s vs. 1.5 m/s, p <  0.004; WSS: 0.74 Pa vs. 0.45 Pa vs. 0.55 Pa, p <  0.001). For BAV, peak velocity increased from baseline to follow up (2.2 ± 0.8 to 2.3 ± 0.9 m/s, p <  0.001) while WSS decreased (0.74 ± 0.22 to 0.65 ± 0.21 Pa, p <  0.001). Aortic growth was minimal for both BAV (0.05 cm/year) and TAV with dilation (0.03–0.04 cm/year) patients. For BAV patients, increase of ascending aorta peak velocities indicated worsening of valve function at follow-up. Compared to TAV with dilation patients, BAV patients demonstrated a reduction in WSS which may indicate a co...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research