Evaluation of Post-Stenotic Aortic Dilatation in Patients with Structurally Normal (Tricuspid) Aortic Valve Stenosis

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of aortic valve stenosis on aortic aneurysm development in patients with normal aortic valve structure.

Methods: The echocardiographic images were obtained from 30 patients prospectively and 118 patient records were assessed retrospectively. The mean age of the population was 49.2±17.3y.  The aortic dimensions were examined by 2D and 3D echocardiography from prospectively enrolled patients. Echocardiography records were used for retrospective analysis. 

Results: A total of 148 patients were enrolled. No difference was observed among groups for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and medication use characteristics. Patients with severe aortic stenosis had more hypertrophied myocardial walls (ANOVA, p<0.001). The left atrial dimension was also higher for patients for severe aortic stenosis. No differences were observed among groups for aortic root dimensions in both retrospective and prospective cohorts. The Framingham risk score (FRS) (P=0.006) was the strongest and only significant determinant of having aortic root dilatation.

Conclusion: Aortic dilatation in patients with aortic stenosis is associated with higher FRS and the degree of aortic stenosis seems to be irrelevant with the prevalence of aortic dilatation. 3D echocardiography is useful for the evaluation of aortic root measurements and provides higher diameters than 2D echocardiography.