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IMPACT OF HYPERTENSION, AGE AND GENDER ON ATHEROSCLEROSIS OF THE DESCENDING AORTA: PP.26.54

Previous studies have shown that the presence of atherosclerotic aortic plaques (AP) is a common independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Some authors have reported that the majority of AP is located in the descending aorta (DA). Hypertension (HTN) is a known risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the relationship between HTN, age, sex and AP prevalence using transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 502 in-hospital and ambulatory patients (263 men, 236 women, mean age 61 ± 14 years (range 30–91) underwent routine multiplane TEE for different clinical indications (exclusion of intracardial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF, 43 %), septal defects, to assess structure and function of heart valves etc.) Depending on intima-media burden patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: normal intima or minor thickening; Group 2: DA intimal thickening <2–5 mm with lumen irregularities, intima thickening >5 mm, simple AP or multiple AP protruding into the lumen, with ulceration or mobile parts. Results: HTN was present in 60% of patients. AP in DA was present in 59% of patients. HTN was 4 times more prevalent in Group 2. Prevalence of CAD in HTN may be underestimated; because nearly half of the patients had not undergone coronary angio due to the lack of indication for that procedure. AF was more closely related to HTN than to AP. AF was very prevalent condition in HTN (73%). Details are shown in Table Figure 1. No caption available. Conclusion: AP in DA was seen in over a half of patients. Prevalence of AP increased with age and was independent of gender. HTN was associated with increased aortic arthrosclerosis. Our data show the importance of the assessment of structural changes on DA during TEE in order to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in HTN.