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Abstract #3709

Age Relation of Aortic Wall Compliance in Marfan Syndrome: Evaluation with Velocity-Encoded MRI

Jos J.M. Westenberg1, Arthur J.H.A. Scholte2, Zuzana Vaskova3, Rob J. van der Geest1, Maarten Groenink4, Gerda Labadie1, Pieter J. van den Boogaard1, Teodora R. Radonic4, Yvonne Hilhorst-Hofstee5, Lucia J.M. Kroft1, Albert de Roos1, Johan H.C. Reiber1

1Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands; 2Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center; 3Radiology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; 4Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 5Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center


The purpose of this study is to describe age relation of aortic wall compliance, expressed in Pulse Wave Velocity, Distensibility and Stiffness Index, with Velocity-Encoded MRI in Marfan syndrome. Twenty-five patients with Marfan syndrome and twenty-five age-matched healthy volunteers are examined and measures for compliance are compared. In Marfan, the Pulse Wave Velocity is generally increased in the aortic arch, distal aorta and total aorta. Distensibility is decreased. Only the Stiffness Index is not statistically significantly different. Age-related change in compliance is best expressed in increasing Pulse Wave Velocity.