Beschreibung:
<jats:p>
<jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold>
Intracranial arteries and thoracic aortas vascular smooth muscle cells are derived from the same developmental tissue during embryogenesis. We reported earlier the association between thoracic aortic aneurysms/dilatations and intracranial aneurysms. IA size is related with rupture risk, but factors affecting the IAs size is poorly studied. In this study we investigated if thoracic aortic diameter correlates with IA size.
</jats:p>
<jats:p>
<jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold>
In this retrospective cohort study, all IA patients diagnosed in Turku University Hospital between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. IA patients with available imaging of thoracic aorta were included (n=398). Diameter of the IA (ruptured or largest unruptured) from DSA/MRA or CTA, and dimeter of thoracic aorta were measured from CTA/MRA. Patients were also categorized by IA size (<7mm and ≥7mm) and by IA status (ruptured and unruptured). Thoracic aortic diameter′s association to IA size and status (ruptured or unruptured) was investigated.
</jats:p>
<jats:p>
<jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold>
Patients with IA ≥7mm had greater diameter in ascending aorta (33.9 vs 23.5, p=0.001), aortic arch (29.6 vs 28.5, p=0.002) and descending aorta (25.7 vs 24.5, p=0.001) than patients with IAs <7mm. Diameter of ascending aorta (β=0.132 SE 0.07, p=0.041), diameter of aortic arch (β=0.175, SE 0.07, p=0-016) and age (β=0.05, SE 0.02, p=0.03) were associated with increased IA size, unadjusted. All aortic diameters were associated with the risk for IA ≥7mm with odds ratios of 1.07 (1.02-1.12, p=0.004) for ascending aorta, 1.07 (1.01-1.12, p=0.013) for aortic arch and 1.10 (1.03-1.17, p=0.005) for descending aorta.
</jats:p>
<jats:p>
<jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold>
Thoracic aortic diameters are greater in patients with larger IAs. Increasing thoracic aortic size is associated with the risk of larger IAs. Common characteristics in pathophysiology are possible.
</jats:p>
<jats:p>
<jats:graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" orientation="portrait" position="float" xlink:href="g5248.jpg" />
</jats:p>