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ABSTRACT: Background
Suspected genetic causes for extracellular matrix (ECM) dysregulation in the ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) have influenced strategies and thresholds for surgical resection of BAV aortopathy. Using 4-dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), we have documented increased regional wall shear stress (WSS) in the ascending aorta of BAV patients.Objectives
This study assessed the relationship between WSS and regional aortic tissue remodeling in BAV patients to determine the influence of regional WSS on the expression of ECM dysregulation.Methods
BAV patients (n = 20) undergoing ascending aortic resection underwent pre-operative 4D flow CMR to regionally map WSS. Paired aortic wall samples (i.e., within-patient samples obtained from regions of elevated and normal WSS) were collected and compared for medial elastin degeneration by histology and ECM regulation by protein expression.Results
Regions of increased WSS showed greater medial elastin degradation compared to adjacent areas with normal WSS: decreased total elastin (p = 0.01) with thinner fibers (p = 0.00007) that were farther apart (p = 0.001). Multiplex protein analyses of ECM regulatory molecules revealed an increase in transforming growth factor β-1 (p = 0.04), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (p = 0.03), MMP-2 (p = 0.06), MMP-3 (p = 0.02), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (p = 0.04) in elevated WSS regions, indicating ECM dysregulation in regions of high WSS.Conclusions
Regions of increased WSS correspond with ECM dysregulation and elastic fiber degeneration in the ascending aorta of BAV patients, implicating valve-related hemodynamics as a contributing factor in the development of aortopathy. Further study to validate the use of 4D flow CMR as a noninvasive biomarker of disease progression and its ability to individualize resection strategies is warranted.
SUBMITTER: Guzzardi DG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4545965 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Guzzardi David G DG Barker Alex J AJ van Ooij Pim P Malaisrie S Chris SC Puthumana Jyothy J JJ Belke Darrell D DD Mewhort Holly E M HE Svystonyuk Daniyil A DA Kang Sean S Verma Subodh S Collins Jeremy J Carr James J Bonow Robert O RO Markl Michael M Thomas James D JD McCarthy Patrick M PM Fedak Paul W M PW
Journal of the American College of Cardiology 20150801 8
<h4>Background</h4>Suspected genetic causes for extracellular matrix (ECM) dysregulation in the ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) have influenced strategies and thresholds for surgical resection of BAV aortopathy. Using 4-dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), we have documented increased regional wall shear stress (WSS) in the ascending aorta of BAV patients.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study assessed the relationship between WSS and regional aort ...[more]