Changes in Coronary Atherosclerosis Associated With Changes in Aortic Stiffness

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between changes in aortic stiffness and coronary atherosclerotic burden over time with cardiac CT angiography (CTA). Design: Retrospective, longitudinal, observational study. Participants: A total of 164 patients who had undergone at least 2 retrospectively ECG-gated cardiac CTAs at least 3 months apart were included. Exclusion criteria included those with bypass grafts or stents, patients with genetic connective tissue disorders, patients with preexisting disease of the aorta or aortic valve, and patients whose baseline ascending thoracic aorta measured ≥4 cm. The mean time between examinations was 12 ± 10 months (range, 3 to 45 months. Methods: All CTAs were performed on a dual-source system. No beta-blockers were given for heart rate control; a 0.4-mg nitroglycerine tablet was given sublingually. The images had a section thickness of 0.75 mm at 0.4-mm increments, and data were reconstructed from 0% to 95% of the R-R interval at 5% more...