ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the features of ascending aortic distensibility (AAD) and risk factors in pre-hypertension (PHT) patients. Methods: A total of 206 participants who received retrospective ECG-triggered coronary CTA by physical check-up or by clinically suspected coronary artery disease (CTA) were enrolled. The participants were divided into 2 groups: Control group, the subjects with normal blood pressure,n=85 and Pre-hypertension group,n=121. A 128 slice dual-source CT scanner was used and the image was automatically reconstructed at every 5% absolute phases in entire R-R interval. The beginning of left coronary artery plane was deifned as the reference and 25 mm above the reference plane was deifned as interested region. ADD value was calculated. Results: Compared with Control group, Pre-hypertension group had decreased AAD,P0.05; ADD value was similar among different gender and blood lipid levels. Correlation analysis presented that AAD was negatively related to age (r=-0.69,P=0.001), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.37,P=0.001), pulse pressure(r=-0.43,P=0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin (r=-0.43,P<0.05). Age and systolic blood pressure were the independent risk factors for AAD decline (standardized β=-0.66,P=0.001) and (standardized β=-0.44,P=0.001). Conclusion: Without additional contrast media consumption and radiation dosage, retrospective ECG-triggered coronary CTA may detect AAD changes with risk factors at the early stage in pre-hypertension patients which is helpful to distinguish the high risk individuals.