Relationship between Tortuosity and Atherosclerotic Changes of the Abdominal Aorta / 대한혈관외과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Tortuosity and atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta are commonly observed in the elderly. Few studies about aortic tortuous changes have been performed. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between aortic tortuous and atherosclerotic changes. METHODS: We included 2,920 patients by reviewing computerized tomography scans in Chungbuk National University Hospital during 2007. We classified the abdominal aorta into straight (I form) and tortuous forms (T form), defined as a deviation involving more than half the aortic diameter. The T form was further subdivided into 2 types (C type, 1 curve; T type, >2 curves). The calcification index (CI) was also measured. The tortuosity index (TI) was measured in 60 patients each with the I form and the C and S types. We analyzed relationships between tortuosity and clinical variables. RESULTS: The incidence of tortuosity was 56.2%, and in the 7th, 8th, 9th decades of life it was 61.7%, 77.3%, and 91.0%, respectively. In univariate analysis, age, female sex, hypertension, and CI were statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, CI was not statistically significant between the I and T forms but significant between the I form and the S type. TI in the T form was lower than in the I form. However, no difference was seen between the I form and C type. CONCLUSION: A tortuous change of the abdominal aorta was seen earlier and more frequently than an atherosclerotic change and were associated with aging, calcification, and hypertension. Aortic calcification was associated with more complex tortuous changes.