Apparent Aortic Stiffness in Children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Existence of Vascular Interdependency?

摘要

BackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) dysfunction, mediated by ventricular interdependence, has been associated with negative outcomes in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Considering the dilation of the pulmonary arteries as a paramount sign of PAH, we hypothesized that the ascending aorta will present signs of apparent stiffness in children with PAH, and that this effect may be due to mechanical interaction with the dilated main pulmonary artery (MPA).