Aortic root dilatation in patients with Alport’s syndrome

A total of 50 patients from 45 unrelated families diagnosed with Alport’s syndrome were examined. The diagnosis was based on molecular genetic testing or kidney biopsy. To assess changes in the aortic root, its volume was examined (calculation methods were given). Most patients with Alport’s syndrome were found to have cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension; dilatation of the ring of the aortic valve; dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva; some patients had dilatation of the sinotubular junction; dilatation of the ascending aorta; enlargement of the left ventricle; mitral and aortic insufficiency. In the patients with Alport’s syndrome, the median value of aortic root volume is 9.9 Z3, which substantially exceeds the permissible upper normal limit according to the general population data, which is 2.82 Z3. The rate of aortic root dilatation (volume increase) in the patients with Alport’s syndrome rises with an increase in the surface area of the body. In Alport’s syndrome, aortic root dilatation is unrelated to the presence of hypertension that occurs with a relative frequency of 0.52. Dilatation of the ascending aorta in Alport’s syndrome is diagnosed with a relative frequency of 0.37 and significantly more frequently diagnosed in male subjects (the statistical significance of a two-sided test is p=0.056; Fisher’s test is p=0.097; risk posed for men is OR = 7.2; 95% CI, 1.63-31.72. Changes in the cardiovascular system are also detected in female carriers of X-linked Alport’s syndrome; therefore they should be followed up by a cardiologist.

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