Analyzing the prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation and its risk factors using Z-score / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Using Z-score to assess the prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation in middle-aged and aged individuals during routine transthoracic echocardiogram examinations and to identify its risk factors. Methods A total of 823 middle-aged or elderly patients on routine transthoracic echocardiogram examinations were consecutively enrolled. The internal diameters of the sinus of Valsalva (SoV ) and the ascending aorta (AA ) were measured. Z-scores were calculated according to the proposed equation for SoV and AA. A dilated aortic root was defined as a Z-score ≥1.96 or the diameter of SoV or AA ≥ 40 mm. The prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation and associated factors were analyzed. Results The prevalences of proximal aorta dilatation ,SoV dilatation ,and AA dilatation were 26.1%(25/823 ) ,6.0%(49/823 ) ,and 23.7%(195/823 ) , respectively.In the aortic root dilatation group ,age and the proportion of obesity were higher (both P＜0.05) ,and there were more female subjects (30.5% or 117/384 vs.22.3% or 98/439 ,P＜0.01) . The incidences of left atrial dilation ,left ventricular dilation ,left ventricular hypertrophy ,and aortic regurgitation in the aortic root dilatation group were higher than those in the non-aortic root dilatation group(P＜0.05 ) .Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sex (OR＝ 1.827 ,95% CI1.248-2.673 ,P＝0.002) ,hypertension (OR＝1.441 ,95% CI1.000-2.075 ,P＝0.050)and left ventricular hypertrophy (OR＝1.827 ,95% CI1.248-2.673 ,P＝0.002)were independently correlated with aortic root dilatation. Conclusions The prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation is high in middle-aged and aged individuals. Proximal aorta dilatation is related to sex ,age ,and body size ,and it is often accompanied by structural abnormalities of the heart.