Aortic Function's Adaptation in Response to Exercise-Induced Stress Assessing by 1.5T MRI : A Pilot Study in Healthy Volunteers

AIM:Evaluation of the aortic "elastic reserve" might be a relevant marker to assess the risk of aortic event. Our aim was to compare regional aortic elasticity at rest and during supine bicycle exercise at 1.5 T MRI in healthy individuals. METHODS:Fifteen volunteers (8 men), with a mean age of 29 (23-41) years, completed the entire protocol. Images were acquired immediately following maximal exercise. Retrospective cine sequences were acquired to assess compliance, distensibility, maximum rates of systolic distension and diastolic recoil at four different locations: ascending aorta, proximal descending aorta, distal descending aorta and aorta above the coeliac trunk level. Segmental aortic …