Evolution and outcomes of aortic dilations in giant cell arteritis.
Eur J Intern Med 2024:S0953-6205(24)00146-8. [PMID:
38580542 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejim.2024.03.038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To identify factors associated with the progression of giant cell arteritis (GCA)-related or associated aortic dilations.
METHODS
In this retrospective study, 47 GCA patients with aortic dilation were longitudinally analyzed. Each patient underwent ≥2 imaging scans of the aorta during the follow-up. Three progression statuses of aortic dilations were distinguished: fast-progressive (FP) defined by a progression of the aortic diameter ≥5 mm/year or ≥1 cm/2 years, slow progressive (SP) by a progression of the aortic diameter >1 mm during the follow-up, and not progressive (NP) when aortic diameter remained stable.
RESULTS
Among the 47 patients with aortic dilation, the thoracic section was involved in 87 % of patients. Within a total follow-up of 89 [6-272] months, we identified 13 (28 %) patients with FP dilations, and 16 (34 %) and 18 (38 %) patients with SP and NP dilations, respectively. No differences regarding baseline characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors or treatments were observed among the 3 groups. However, FP patients more frequently showed atheromatous disease (p = 0.04), with a more frequent use of statins (p = 0.04) and antiplatelet agents (p = 0.02). Among the 27 (57 %) patients with aortitis, aortic dilation developed on an inflammatory segment in 23 (85 %). Among the FP patients who underwent aortic surgery with available histology (n = 3), all presented active vasculitis.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that aortic inflammation, as well as atheromatous disease, might participate in the fast progression of aortic dilation in GCA.
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