A Specific Assessment of the Normal Anatomy of the Aortic Root in Relation to Age and Gender

BACKGROUND: A limitation associated with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is the lack of a normal reference value for aortic root dimensions and the uncertainty of the influence of age and gender on these dimensions. The purpose of the present study was to identify the normal values and variations of aortic root dimensions in healthy individuals and investigate how gender and age affect aortic root size. METHODS: A total of 1286 healthy yellow population (52.7 ± 11.0 years, 634 male) who underwent CCTA were retrospectively included in the present study. Male and female patients were divided into seven groups according to age (< 30 years old, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, ≥ 80 years old). In these age groups, we measured and compared the parameters of the aortic root. RESULTS: After body surface area (BSA) correction, the aortic root parameters of females were found to be greater than those of males in the 40–49 age group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in aortic root parameters between genders in other age groups, except for the diameter of the ascending aorta, which was greater in females (P<0.05). In males, age was positively correlated with aortic root parameters (P<0.05), except for the annulus short diameter and LVOT short diameter. In females, age was positively correlated with aortic root parameters (P<0.05), except for the left coronary ostia height and the LVOT short diameter. CONCLUSION: Aortic root dimensions are affected by age and gender. After BSA correction, females show larger aortic root dimensions than males, and aortic root diameters increase with age.