Abstract 11419: Subclinical Arterial Remodeling of Thoracic Aorta in Subjects Without Cardiovascular Events: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background: Arterial remodeling is thought to be implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aneurysm. Although a phenomenon known as positive remodeling has been observed in the coronary artery, the remodeling patterns of other arterial beds remain poorly understood. By delineating vessel wall morphology noninvasively, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) may afford a unique opportunity to study arterial remodeling in the general population. Using MR imaging, we sought to examine the remodeling pattern of thoracic aorta in a large cohort of subjects free of prior cardiovascular events. Methods: This study was a branch of High-Risk Plaque(HRP) Initiative. Three hundred and seventy-seven subjects, with no cardiovascular events but a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk factors, were recruited. Two-dimensional MR imaging of the thoracic aorta was performed from aortic arch to the diaphragm level. Lumen area, total vessel area, and mean wall thickness were measured on e...