Exercise Physiology in Patients With Aortic Aneurysm and Its Correlation With Mechanical Properties of Aortic Tissue

Description

Engaging in regular exercise in controls lowers blood pressure over time, and this is associated with a lower risk of future aortic complications. However, it is not known what level of exercise is safe for aneurysm patients.

Cardiac MRI (CMR) is the most comprehensive imaging modality for phenotypic evaluation of patients with cardiac disease. It has been limited in its use because exercise stress MRI is not widely available due to the need for MRI safe exercise equipment. However, the Cleveland Clinic has purchased a Lode MRI compatible exercise ergometer that is FDA approved and compatible with our 3T cardiac MRI scanner.

By conducting a study using this imaging modality we will be able to observe aortic blood flow, specifically compliance, distensibility, maximum rates of systolic distension and diastolic recoil, at different locations along the ascending and descending aorta, as well as aortic pulse wave velocity. A more comprehensive analysis of these variables will be critical to understanding how the aorta responds during times of stress in aneurysm patients.