LANDMARC Study: a Study With Focus on Aorta Ascendens

Assessment of the pathophysioLogical bAsis of Local Tissue compliaNce Using augmenteD iMAging Techniques to Identify Regional Flow dynamiCs (LANDMARC): a Study With Focus on Aorta Ascendens

Rationale:

Aortic diameter is currently used as a gold standard in international guidelines for prediction of aorta pathology (aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection). However, aortic diameter has proven to be insufficiently accurate for making decisions about well-timed preventive interventions. The LANDMARC study will take place in line with the FIBAA-bank ('Correlatie tussen cardiovasculaire FIBroseringsgraad en Aorta elongatie, dilatatie en Atria dilatatie (FIBAA-bank): een biobank & databank onderzoek met focus op aorta en atria' (METC-number 2022-3164)), and aims to reveal the undiscovered relationship between WSS (wall shear stress) values and aortic strain. In combination with data from the FIBAA-bank, the LANDMARC study will provide more accurate information for future risk stratification models for cardiovascular pathology (with focus on aortic disease).

Objectives:

Primary objective: indication of the association between WSS (peak WSS and WSS gradient) (through 4D-flow MR and CT) and aortic strain.

Secondary objective: indication of the association between (hemo)dynamic processes within the body (aortic elongation/aortic strain) and (patho-)physiological changes (degree of cardiovascular tissue fibrosis).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years and older
• Able to understand the trial and provide informed consent
• Patients who have participated in the FIBAA-bank

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with abnormal congenital cardiothoracic anatomy, with exception of presence of a bicuspid aortic valve
• Patients with history of chemotherapy, or radiotherapy within thoracic region
• Patients with an age >80 years
• Patients with a weight >120 kg
• Patients with a contra-indication for MRI according to the MUMC+ ODIN protocol nr. 004952
• Patients with impaired renal function (GFR <30)