The sex-specific difference in age-related aortic regional morphological changes

Aim To investigate the sex differences in age-related changes in aortic morphology. Method A cross-sectional study screened patients with chest and abdomen contrast CT images from July 2021 to April 2022. The aortic morphological values were compared by sex in different ages to analyze their correlation with age. To validate the coherence of sex differences in age-related arterial changes in morphology, data from a previously published article was extracted to examine the correlation between age and branchial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in different sexes. Results 208 participants (59.6% males, mean age 60.13±16.33 years old) were enrolled. The BSA-adjusted diameters are positively correlated with age in both sexes with females experiencing a more rapid increase throughout lifespan than males. The BSA-adjusted aortic diameters at different segments of females were smaller than males earlier on, however, this trend was reversed with age. The tortuosity of the aorta and descending thoracic aorta increased significantly with age, especially in females. Furthermore, baPWV showed the same variation tendency that baPWV increased with age and even more rapidly in females. Conclusion Throughout life course, the rate of aortic morphological aging differs between the sexes, with more significant changes in aortic tortuosity in females, especially in older age groups.