1
|
Lenz A, Warncke M, Wright F, Weinrich JM, Schoennagel BP, Henes FO, Adam G, von Kodolitsch Y, Schoen G, Bannas P. Longitudinal follow-up by MR angiography reveals progressive dilatation of the distal aorta after aortic root replacement in Marfan syndrome. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:6984-6992. [PMID: 37160424 PMCID: PMC10511572 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To define and compare growth rates of the distal aorta in Marfan patients with and without aortic root replacement using serial MR angiography (MRA). METHODS We retrospectively included 136 Marfan patients with a total of 645 MRAs who underwent a median of five MRAs (range: 2-13) at 1.5 T and 3 T in annual intervals. Of these, 41 patients (34.8 ± 12 years) had undergone aortic root replacement. The remaining 95 patients (29.0 ± 17 years) still had a native aorta and served as the control group. Thoracic aortic diameters were independently measured at eleven predefined levels. Estimated growth rates were calculated using a mixed effects model adjusted for sex, age, BMI, and medication. RESULTS Marfan patients with aortic root replacement revealed the highest mean estimated growth rate in the proximal descending aorta (0.77 mm/year, CI: 0.31-1.21). Mean growth rates at all levels of the distal thoracic aorta were significantly higher in patients with aortic root replacement (0.28-0.77 mm/year) when compared to patients without aortic root replacement (0.03-0.07 mm/year) (all p < 0.001). Antihypertensive medication, gender, and BMI had no significant impact on the distal aortic growth rates. CONCLUSION Distal thoracic aortic diameters increase at a significantly higher rate in Marfan patients with aortic root replacement compared to Marfan patients without aortic root replacement. Further studies are warranted to investigate if the increased growth rate of the distal thoracic aorta after aortic root replacement is caused by altered hemodynamics due to the rigid aortic root graft or due to the general genetic disposition of post-operative Marfan patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT High growth rates of the distal aorta after aortic root replacement underline the need for careful life-long aortic imaging of Marfan patients after aortic root replacement. KEY POINTS • Aortic growth rates in Marfan patients with aortic root replacement are highest in the mid-aortic arch, the proximal- and mid-descending aorta. • Growth rates of the distal thoracic aorta are significantly higher in Marfan patients with aortic root replacement compared to Marfan patients without aortic root replacement. • Antihypertensive medication, gender, and BMI have no significant impact on distal aortic growth rates in Marfan patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lenz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Malte Warncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felicia Wright
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julius Matthias Weinrich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bjoern P Schoennagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Oliver Henes
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, BG Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yskert von Kodolitsch
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schoen
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wenzel JP, Nikorowitsch J, Bei der Kellen R, Dohm L, Girdauskas E, Lund G, Bannas P, Blankenberg S, Kölbel T, Cavus E, Müllerleile K, Kaul MG, Adam G, Weinrich JM. Comparison of cine cardiac magnetic resonance and echocardiography derived diameters of the aortic root in a large population-based cohort. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15307. [PMID: 36096919 PMCID: PMC9468025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are established imaging methods of the aortic root. We aimed to evaluate the comparability of measurements in TTE and standard cine CMR sequences of the aortic root. Our study included 741 subjects (mean age 63.5 ± 8 years, 43.7% female) from the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS). Subjects underwent CMR and TTE. Aortic root measurements were performed at the level of the aortic annulus (AoAn), sinus of Valsalva (SoV), and sinotubular junction (STJ) by standard cine CMR in left ventricular long axis and left ventricular outflow tract view. Measurements were performed applying the leading-edge to leading-edge (LL) convention and inner-edge to inner-edge (II) convention in TTE and the II convention in CMR. Inter correlation coefficients (ICCs) demonstrated high inter- and intraobserver reproducibility for CMR and TTE measurements of SoV and STJ (ICCs 0.9–0.98) and moderate reproducibility for AoAn (ICCs 0.68–0.91). CMR measurements of SoV and STJ showed strong agreement with TTE: while correlations were comparable (r = 0.75–0.85) bias was lower with TTE II (bias − 0.1 to − 0.74) versus TTE LL measurements (mean bias − 1.49 to − 2.58 mm). The agreement for AoAn was fair (r = 0.51–0.57) with variable bias (mean bias 0.39–3.9). Standard cine CMR and TTE derived aortic root measurements are reproducible and comparable with higher agreement for TTE II instead of LL measurements. These results support an interchangeable application of TTE and standard CMR for screening of aortic root diseases thereby possibly reducing redundant multimodality imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Per Wenzel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. .,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julius Nikorowitsch
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ramona Bei der Kellen
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luisa Dohm
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Evaldas Girdauskas
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Lund
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Blankenberg
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kölbel
- Department of Vascular Medicine, German Aortic Center Hamburg, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ersin Cavus
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Müllerleile
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerhard Kaul
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julius Matthias Weinrich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lin M, Chang C, Ting J, Chang J, Chou W, Huang K, Cheng G, Chang H, Chang W. Application of Whole Exome Sequencing and Functional Annotations to Identify Genetic Variants Associated with Marfan Syndrome. J Pers Med 2022; 12:198. [PMID: 35207686 PMCID: PMC8878617 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare disease that affects connective tissue, which causes abnormalities in several organ systems including the heart, eyes, bones, and joints. The autosomal dominant disorder was found to be strongly associated with FBN1, TGFBR1, and TGFBR2 mutations. Although multiple genetic mutations have been reported, data from Asian populations are still limited. As a result, we utilized the whole exome sequencing (WES) technique to identify potential pathogenic variants of MFS in a Taiwan cohort. In addition, a variety of annotation databases were applied to identify the biological functions as well as the potential mechanisms of candidate genes. In this study, we confirmed the pathogenicity of FBN1 to MFS. Our results indicated that TTN and POMT1 may be likely related to MFS phenotypes. Furthermore, we found nine unique variants highly shared in a MFS family cohort, of which eight are novel variants worthy of further investigation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Avanesov M, Weinrich JM, Sinn M, Lenz A, von Düring F, Salamon J, Henes FO, Schönnagel BP, Adam G, von Kodolitsch Y, Bannas P. Intraindividual comparison of 1.5 T and 3 T non-contrast MR angiography for monitoring of aortic root diameters in Marfan patients. Int J Cardiol 2021; 337:119-126. [PMID: 33933510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproducible aortic diameter measurements are crucial for assessment of aortic growth and aneurysm formation in patients with Marfan syndrome. The objective of this study was to perform an intraindividual comparison of aortic measurements at 1.5 T and 3 T using non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in pre-surgical and post-surgical Marfan patients. METHODS Forty consecutive Marfan patients were retrospectively evaluated by ECG-gated 2D balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) MRA at 1.5 T and 3 T after 363 ± 58 days. 24 patients were before and 16 patients after aortic root surgery. Two readers independently measured aortic diameters at seven aortic levels and rated the image quality/image artifacts (1 = poor/severe, 4 = excellent/none). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal intensity slopes between aortic lumen and vessel walls were semiautomatically determined. RESULTS In pre-surgical Marfan patients, interobserver agreement of aortic root diameter measurements was significantly higher at 3 T compared to 1.5 T (p < 0.05). In post-surgical Marfan patients, image quality and artifacts were significantly worse at 3 T compared to 1.5 T (p < 0.05). CNR was higher at 3 T compared to 1.5 T at all aortic levels. Significantly steeper slopes of signal intensity curves were observed at 3 T at all aortic levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In pre-surgical Marfan patients, non-contrast MRA provides higher reproducibility of aortic diameter measurements at 3 T compared to 1.5 T. In post-surgical Marfan patients, metallic implants result in significantly worse imaging artifacts and reduced image quality at 3 T compared to 1.5 T. Therefore, we propose to monitor the thoracic aorta with non-contrast MRA at 3 T in pre-surgical Marfan patients and at 1.5 T in post-surgical Marfan patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Avanesov
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julius Matthias Weinrich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Sinn
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Lenz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felicia von Düring
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Salamon
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank-Oliver Henes
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Björn Peter Schönnagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yskert von Kodolitsch
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu W, Xie M, Qiu H. The Progress of Advanced Ultrasonography in Assessing Aortic Stiffness and the Application Discrepancy between Humans and Rodents. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:454. [PMID: 33800855 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic stiffening is a fundamental pathological alteration of atherosclerosis and other various aging-associated vascular diseases, and it is also an independent risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Ultrasonography is a critical non-invasive method widely used in assessing aortic structure, function, and hemodynamics in humans, playing a crucial role in predicting the pathogenesis and adverse outcomes of vascular diseases. However, its applications in rodent models remain relatively limited, hindering the progress of the research. Here, we summarized the progress of the advanced ultrasonographic techniques applied in evaluating aortic stiffness. With multiple illustrative images, we mainly characterized various ultrasound techniques in assessing aortic stiffness based on the alterations of aortic structure, hemodynamics, and tissue motion. We also discussed the discrepancy of their applications in humans and rodents and explored the potential optimized strategies in the experimental research with animal models. This updated information would help to better understand the nature of ultrasound techniques and provide a valuable prospect for their applications in assessing aortic stiffness in basic science research, particularly with small animals.
Collapse
|
6
|
Veldhoen S, Behzadi C, Lenz A, Henes FO, Rybczynski M, von Kodolitsch Y, Bley TA, Adam G, Bannas P. Non-contrast MR angiography at 1.5 Tesla for aortic monitoring in Marfan patients after aortic root surgery. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2017; 19:82. [PMID: 29084542 PMCID: PMC5661928 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-017-0394-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance angiography (CE-CMRA) is the established imaging modality for patients with Marfan syndrome requiring life-long annual aortic imaging before and after aortic root replacement. Contrast-free CMRA techniques avoiding side-effects of contrast media are highly desirable for serial imaging but have not been evaluated in the postoperative setup of Marfan patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of non-contrast balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) magnetic resonance imaging for aortic monitoring of postoperative patients with Marfan syndrome. METHODS Sixty-four adult Marfan patients after aortic root replacement were prospectively included. Fourteen patients (22%) had a residual aortic dissection after surgical treatment of type A dissection. bSSFP imaging and CE-CMRA were performed at 1.5 Tesla. Two radiologists evaluated the images regarding image quality (1 = poor, 4 = excellent), artifacts (1 = severe, 4 = none) and aortic pathologies. Readers measured the aortic diameters at defined levels in both techniques. Statistics included observer agreement for image scoring and diameter measurements and ROC analyses for comparison of the diagnostic performance of bSSFP and CE-CMRA. RESULTS Both readers observed no significant differences in image quality between bSSFP and CE-CMRA and found a median image quality score of 4 for both techniques (all p > .05). No significant differences were found regarding the frequency of image artifacts in both sequences (all p > .05). Sensitivity and specificity for detection of aortic dissections was 100% for both readers and techniques. Compared to bSSFP imaging, CE-CMRA resulted in higher diameters (mean bias, 0.9 mm; p < .05). The inter-observer biases of diameter measurements were not significantly different (all p > .05), except for the distal graft anastomosis (p = .001). Using both techniques, the readers correctly identified a graft suture dehiscence with aneurysm formation requiring surgery. CONCLUSION Unenhanced bSSFP CMR imaging allows for riskless aortic monitoring with high diagnostic accuracy in Marfan patients after aortic root surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Veldhoen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Cyrus Behzadi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Lenz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Oliver Henes
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meike Rybczynski
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yskert von Kodolitsch
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Alexander Bley
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|