Aortic & peripheral vascular disease

The Nonsyndromic Ascending Thoracic Aorta in a Population-Based Setting: A 5-Year Prospective Cohort Study

J Am Coll CardiolPublished Prospective cohort study

Authors' conclusion

In men aged 60 to 74 years, growth of the ascending aorta was slow, questioning the currently recommended (bi)annual surveillance scan intervals. Additionally, 95% of AAE case patients presented with diameters of <50.0 mm upon the event, highlighting the need for individualized risk stratifications in addition to diameter.

Study context

Population
Nonsyndromic DANCAVAS screening participants with ECG-gated noncontrast computed tomography (CT); excluded connective tissue disorders, bicuspid aortic valves and prior AAE survivors2,026 with consecutive CT
Participants
14,962 participants
Exposure
Ascending aortic growth and adverse aortic events (AAEs) by baseline ascending aortic diameter
Outcome
Ascending aortic growth rates and adverse aortic events (thoracic aortic rupture, type A dissection, thoracic aortic-related death)
Methodological detailspopulation-based, multicenter, within the randomised DANCAVAS I and II trials
  • Population-based
  • Multicenter
  • Within the randomised DANCAVAS I and II trials

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Ascending aortic growth rate

Men

0.07

mean · SD 0.5 · mm/year

Women

0.13

mean · SD 0.3 · mm/year

<39.9 mm

0.11

SD 0.5 · mm/year

≥50 mm

0.07

SD 0.6 · mm/year

Men vs Women: P = 0.012 · ≥50 mm vs <39.9 mm: P = 0.60

Men 45.0–49.9 mm progressing to ≥50.0 mm over 4.6 years
3.2%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Outcome<40.0 mm40.0–44.9 mm45.0–49.9 mm≥50.0 mmAdjusted HR (95% CI)P value
Adverse aortic events by baseline diameter · median follow-up 5.0 yearsPer 1-mm increase in diameter0.1%0.2%1.4%<3 events1.24 (1.16–1.33)P < 0.001

Adverse aortic events by baseline diameter · median follow-up 5.0 years

Adjusted HR (95% CI)P value
Family history of aortic aneurysms5.43 (1.99–14.82)P = 0.001
Adverse aortic events by baseline diameter — AAEs, whole cohort
23 (0.2%); 31/100,000 person-years
Adverse aortic events by baseline diameter — Elective ascending aortic surgery
26 (0.2%)

Original publication

The Nonsyndromic Ascending Thoracic Aorta in a Population-Based Setting: A 5-Year Prospective Cohort Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 8 January 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.10.096

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