Dilatation of the aortic valve portion in aortitis syndrome angiographic evaluation of 70 patients.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The dilatation of the aortic valve portion was evaluated by angiography in 70 patients with aortitis syndrome (Takayasu''s arteritis). The diameter at aortic valve commissure was 20 .+-. 2.8 mm/m2 (NS [not significant], vs. control) in 46 patients without aortic insufficiency (AI), 23 .+-. 2.0 (P < 0.01, vs. without AI) in 11 patients with AI (I or II in grade), and 27 .+-. 2.0 (P < 0.01, vs. I or II in grade) in 13 patients with AI (III or IV in grade). The diameter was 20 .+-. 2.0 in 13 normal control cases and 20 .+-. 4.0 in 6 patients with rheumatic AI. The diameters at the levels of aortic valve annulus, sinus of Valsalva and ascending aorta increased significantly in the patients with AI secondary to aortitis syndrome. The diameter at aortic valve commissure in 24 patients with AI was correlated (r = -0.48, P < 0.05) to the diastolic blood pressure. Any diameter at the aortic valve portion was not different significantly by the complication of systolic hypertension (.gtoreq. 180 mm/Hg) in both groups of cases with and without AI. The dilatation of the aortic valve portion was observed in the patient with AI secondary to aortitis syndrome and might be the primary and common cause of AI in all grades. The dilatation might not be accelerated by the associated hypertension.