Clinical significance of the mechanical properties of the
abdominal aorta in Kawasaki disease

Kim, Mi Jin; Kim, Mi Jin; Lee, Sang Yun; Lee, Sang Yun; Kim, Yong Bum; Kim, Yong Bum; Kil, Hong Ryang; Kil, Hong Ryang

Original Article

Korean Journal of Pediatrics 2008;51(9):1012-1017.
Published online September 15, 2008.

Clinical significance of the mechanical properties of the abdominal aorta in Kawasaki disease

Mi Jin Kim¹, Mi Jin Kim¹, Sang Yun Lee¹, Sang Yun Lee¹, Yong Bum Kim¹, Yong Bum Kim¹, Hong Ryang Kil¹, Hong Ryang Kil¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea

가와사끼병에서 복부 대동맥의 물리적 특성의 임상적 의의

김미진^¹^, 김미진^¹^, 이상윤^¹^, 이상윤^¹^, 김용범^¹^, 김용범^¹^, 길홍량^¹^, 길홍량^¹

^¹충남대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실
^¹충남대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실

Correspondence:
Hong Ryang Kil, Email: gilhong@cnu.ac.kr
Hong Ryang Kil, Email: gilhong@cnu.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: This study aimed to assess the mechanical properties of the abdominal aorta in school-aged patients treated for Kawasaki disease and in normal, healthy children.
Methods
: This study examined 28 children with Kawasaki disease who had been followed up on and 30 healthy subjects of the same age and gender. We recorded systolic (Ps) and diastolic (Pd) blood pressure values and the aortic diameter at both minimum diastolic (Dd) and maximum systolic (Ds) expansion using two-dimensional echocardiography. These measurements were used to determine 1) aortic strain: S=(Ds-Dd)/Dd; 2) pressure strain elastic modulus: Ep=(Ps-Pd)/S; and 3) normalized Ep: Ep*=Ep/Pd.
Results
: Ep (P=0.008) and Ep* (P=0.043) of the Kawasaki disease group were relatively high compared to those of the control group. Ep (P=0.002) and Ep* (P=0.015) of patients with coronary aneurysm were also relatively high compared with those of patients without coronary aneurysm, but lipid profiles did not differ, except for homocysteine (P=0.008). Therefore, in patients with coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was higher, compared to not only the control group but also patients without coronary aneurysm. However, in patients without coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was not significant, different compared to the control group.
Conclusion
: Measuring aortic distensibility may be helpful in assessing the risk of early atheroscletic change in the long- term management of Kawasaki disease.

Key Words: Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, Abdominal aorta, Mechanical property, Children