lipid-modifying agents. This is in contrast to recent literatureshowing a significant relation of aortic plaques and calciumwith only the descending aorta.21 22 In conclusion, although wefound differences between the ascending and descending aortain the association between smoking, alcohol consumption andHDL cholesterol, the effect of these cardiovascular risk factorsseems of limited importance in explaining the overall variationin aortic diameter.In addition, we found that blood pressure was associated withthoracic aortic diameters. We found a positive association of thediastolic blood pressure but a negative association of the systolicblood pressure with aortic diameters. Whether hypertension isindeed a risk factor for aortic dilatation is still unknown,23 butour results suggest that high diastolic blood pressure might bemore important in the development of aortic dilatation thanhigh systolic blood pressure. Current guidelines2 advise toreduce blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). The importanceof high diastolic blood pressure on aortic diameters shouldbe stressed and deserves more attention, also in research.We found diabetes to be negatively associated with both theascending and descending aortic diameters. This phenomenonhas already been shown in the abdominal aorta, where it isdescribed that diabetes is associated with less aortic dilatationof the abdominal aorta.24 25 This might be caused by advancedglycation associated with diabetes which inhibits through intermediatesteps secretion of the matrix metalloproteinases.25 Also,the fibrinolytic pathway, more specifically the plasminogenactivator inhibitor-1, is mentioned as a candidate mechanismfor hyperglycaemic inhibition of abdominal aortic disease.26More research is warranted to elucidate the role of these pathwaysin the development of both thoracic and abdominal aorticaneurysms.Strengths of our study include the population-based settingand the relatively large sample size. By including participantswith hypertension or a history of CVD, we measure the aorticdiameter in the general population and not only in healthypeople. Therefore, the results can be generalised to a largerproportion of the older population.
lipid-modifying agents. This is in contrast to recent literature<br>showing a significant relation of aortic plaques and calcium<br>with only the descending aorta.21 22 In conclusion, although we<br>found differences between the ascending and descending aorta<br>in the association between smoking, alcohol consumption and<br>HDL cholesterol, the effect of these cardiovascular risk factors<br>seems of limited importance in explaining the overall variation<br>in aortic diameter.<br>In addition, we found that blood pressure was associated with<br>thoracic aortic diameters. We found a positive association of the<br>diastolic blood pressure but a negative association of the systolic<br>blood pressure with aortic diameters. Whether hypertension is<br>indeed a risk factor for aortic dilatation is still unknown,23 but<br>our results suggest that high diastolic blood pressure might be<br>more important in the development of aortic dilatation than<br>high systolic blood pressure. Current guidelines2<br> advise to<br>reduce blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). The importance<br>of high diastolic blood pressure on aortic diameters should<br>be stressed and deserves more attention, also in research.<br>We found diabetes to be negatively associated with both the<br>ascending and descending aortic diameters. This phenomenon<br>has already been shown in the abdominal aorta, where it is<br>described that diabetes is associated with less aortic dilatation<br>of the abdominal aorta.24 25 This might be caused by advanced<br>glycation associated with diabetes which inhibits through intermediate<br>steps secretion of the matrix metalloproteinases.25 Also,<br>the fibrinolytic pathway, more specifically the plasminogen<br>activator inhibitor-1, is mentioned as a candidate mechanism<br>for hyperglycaemic inhibition of abdominal aortic disease.26<br>More research is warranted to elucidate the role of these pathways<br>in the development of both thoracic and abdominal aortic<br>aneurysms.<br>Strengths of our study include the population-based setting<br>and the relatively large sample size. By including participants<br>with hypertension or a history of CVD, we measure the aortic<br>diameter in the general population and not only in healthy<br>people. Therefore, the results can be generalised to a larger<br>proportion of the older population.
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