Aortic Distensibility in Chagas' Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Humberto Villacorta, Luiz Aparecido Bortolotto, Edmundo Arteaga, Charles Mady
Primary Institution: Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
Hypothesis
Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi leads to decreased distensibility of arteries in advanced Chagas' disease.
Conclusion
Carotid femoral pulse-wave velocity is not modified in patients with Chagas' disease, suggesting that elastic properties of large arteries are not affected in this disorder.
Supporting Evidence
- No difference was noted between the groups regarding carotid-femoral PWV.
- A positive correlation occurred between PWV and age in both patients and controls.
- Pulse pressure was not different among the groups.
Takeaway
This study looked at how stretchy the arteries are in people with Chagas' disease and found that they are just as stretchy as in healthy people.
Methodology
Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity was measured in 53 Chagas' disease patients and 31 healthy volunteers.
Limitations
Patients were not withdrawn from medications that could affect PWV, which may have influenced results.
Participant Demographics
53 patients with Chagas' disease (20 men, 33 women, mean age 49) and 31 healthy volunteers (15 men, 16 women, mean age 45.3).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.6
Statistical Significance
p=0.6
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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