Circulating biomarkers associated with aortic diameter in male and female patients with thoracic aortic disease: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: As thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is generally asymptomatic, biomarkers are needed to provide insight into early progression. We aimed to examine the association between circulating blood biomarkers and the maximal thoracic aortic diameter (TADmax). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, consecutive adult patients with a thoracic aortic diameter ≥40 mm and/or genetically proven hereditary TAD (HTAD) visiting our specialised outpatient clinic between 2017 and 2020 were prospectively included. Venous blood sampling and CT angiography and/or transthoracic echocardiography of the aorta were performed. Linear regression analyses were performed and estimates were presented as mean difference in TADmax in mm per doubling of standardised biomarker level. RESULTS: In total, 158 patients were included (median age 61 (50.3–68.8) years, 37.3% female). HTAD diagnosis was confirmed in 36 of 158 (22.7%) patients. TADmax was 43.9±5.2 mm in men vs 41.9±5.1 in women (p=0.030). In unadjusted analysis, significant associations with TADmax were found for interleukin-6 (1.15 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.96), p=0.006), growth differentiation factor-15 (1.01 (95% CI 0.18 to 1.84), p=0.018), microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) (−0.88 (95% CI −1.71 to 0.05), p=0.039) and triiodothyronine (T3) (−2.00 (95%CI −3.01 to 0.99), p<0.001). The association of MFAP4 with TADmax was stronger in women (p for interaction=0.020) and for homocysteine, an inverse association with TADmax was observed when compared with men (p for interaction=0.008). When adjusted for age, sex, hyperlipidaemia and HTAD, total cholesterol (1.10 (95% CI 0.27 to 1.93), p=0.010) and T3 (−1.20 (95% CI −2.14 to 0.25), p=0.014) were significantly associated with TADmax. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating biomarkers indicative of inflammation, lipid metabolism and thyroid function might be associated with TAD severity. Possible distinct biomarker patterns for men and women warrant further investigation.