Objective To investigate the features of aortic regurgitation (AR) in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients and related factors.

Methods A total of 196 patients with TA admitted to Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from December 2020 to August 2022 were enrolled and divided into AR group and the non-AR group. Demographic data, clinical information, and laboratory test results of the patients were retrospectively collected. And echocardiographic parameters, such as the thickness of the ascending aortic wall and aortic valve leaflets were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors for AR, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to explore the relationship between aortic parameters and vena contracta width (VCW).

Results The patients in AR group (n=67) had higher levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) than those in non-AR group (n=129, P < 0.001). Compared with non-AR group, patients in AR group had dilational aortic sinus (33.8±4.5 mm vs 29.9±3.1 mm, P=0.001) and ascending aorta (37.7±6.1 mm vs 30.1±4.7 mm, P < 0.001), and thickening ascending aortic wall (3.7±1.5 mm vs 2.4±0.6 mm, P < 0.001) and aortic valve leaflets (2.8±0.9 mm vs 1.8±0.3 mm, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aortic sinus and ascending aorta dilation and aortic valve leaflets thickening were independent related factors of AR in patients with TA (P < 0.05). VCW was positively related to aortic sinus diameter, ascending aorta diameter, ascending aortic wall thickness, and aortic valve leaflets thickness (P < 0.01).

Conclusions Aortic sinus and ascending aorta dilation, along with aortic leaflets thickening are related factors of AR in patients with TA, and echocardiography is helpful to diagnose AR.