Biophysical properties of the normal-sized aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome: Evaluation with MR flow mapping

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) flow map ping in the assessment of aortic biophysical properties in patients with Ma rfan syndrome and to detect differences in biophysical properties in the no rmal-sized aorta distal to the aortic root between these patients and match ed control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with Marfan syndrome with aor tic root dilatation and 23 matched control subjects underwent MR flow mappi ng in four locations in the normal-sized aorta (1, ascending aorta; 2, thor acic descending aorta; 3, descending aorta at the level of the diaphragm; a nd 4, abdominal descending aorta). Distensibility at each location and flow wave velocity between locations were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with the control subjects, patients with Marfan syndrome had decreased aortic distensibility at three of the four locations (levels 1, 2, and 4; P < .05) and increased flow wave velocity between all location s (P < .05) in the aorta. In patients with Marfan syndrome, flow wave veloc ity was also significantly increased along the entire aortic tract beyond t he aortic root (from level 1 to level 4). CONCLUSION: MR imaging reveals abnormal biophysical properties of the norma l-sized aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome. Monitoring of these propert ies is relevant for evaluating disease progression and treatment options.