Asymmetric dimethylarginine as a laboratory criterion after corrective therapy in patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Background. Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (aTAA) is a heterogeneous group of disorders involving
impaired endothelial function. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor
and an endothelial dysfunction marker. We investigated ADMA levels in patients with aTAA on the background correcting drug therapy.
Materials and Methods. AEighty-six patients with aTAA and 18 patients with cardiovascular diseases and
similar risk factors, but without pathology of the left ventricular outflow tract were enrolled. All patients
underwent echocardiography. Plasma ADMA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results. ADMA levels were elevated in both patients’ groups in comparison with previously published reference values. Nevertheless, ADMA level was higher in aTAA patients than in the comparison group (p =
0.034). According to the multivariate regression model higher ADMA level was associated with the ascending aortic diameter (p = 0.017), smoking (p = 0.016) and log transformed estimated glomerular filtration
rate (p = 0.005).
Conclusion. Against the background of long-term drug therapy in patients with aTAA, the level of ADMA
remains significantly increased. We have shown association of increased ADMA level with ascending aortic
dilatation, but further studies are needed to understand whether increased ADMA level is the cause of ascending aortic aneurysm development.