Association between serum IgG4 concentrations and the morphology of the aorta in patients who undergo cardiac computed tomography.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease has been suggested to be involved in cardiovascular disorders such as chronic periaortitis. However, it remains unclear whether IgG4-related immuno-inflammation affects the subclinical stages of aortic remodeling. Here, we analyzed the relationship between serum IgG4 concentrations and the morphology of the ascending aorta.

METHODS:

Serum concentrations of IgG4 were measured in 322 patients who underwent 320-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT). We assessed the aortic wall area and intravascular area at the portion between the aortic valve and the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery.

RESULTS:

In total, 174 patients (54.0%) were diagnosed to have coronary artery disease (CAD) by cardiac CT. The intravascular area was significantly larger in patients with CAD than in those without (893mm(2) vs. 811mm(2), p=0.001). The aortic wall area was slightly, but not significantly, larger in patients with CAD than in those without (183mm(2) vs. 176mm(2), p=0.051). Serum concentrations of IgG4 were significantly higher in patients with an aortic wall area of median or greater size (≥181mm(2)) than in those with a smaller area (<181mm(2)) (32.9mg/dL vs. 23.1mg/dL, p=0.026). In logistic regression analysis using age, gender, and CAD as covariates, the fourth quartile of IgG4 (≥55.4mg/dL) was significantly associated with an aortic wall area of median or greater size with an odds ratio of 2.09.

CONCLUSIONS:

Serum concentrations of IgG4 were found to be significantly associated with the aortic wall area. These findings collectively suggest that immuno-inflammatory processes may play a role in the subclinical stages of aortic remodeling.

• Authors: Aiko Sakamoto, Nobukazu Ishizaka, Yasushi Imai, Masae Uehara, Jiro Ando, Ryozo Nagai, Issei Komuro
• Journal: Journal of cardiology (J Cardiol) Vol. 65 Issue 2 Pg. 150-6 (Feb 2015) ISSN: 1876-4738 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24996385 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aorta (pathology)
• Aortography
• Coronary Artery Disease (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Inflammation (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Organ Size
• Retroperitoneal Fibrosis (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed