Aortic Root Dilation and Testosterone Use: Are They Associated?

Abstract

Aortic root dilation and thoracic aortic aneurysms are relatively rare in young and healthy patient populations. However, a number of observed incidental cases regarding young males and testosterone use raises suspicion of a potential risk factor for aortic root dilation. The authors' patient, a healthy 40-year-old man with a significant history of testosterone use who developed a massively dilated aortic root, is sufficiently alarming to report. Notwithstanding anecdotal cases, there exists a well-known association between elite strength athletes and aortic root dilation. Nevertheless, very little clinical research exists on the relationship between testosterone use and aortic root dilation and/or thoracic aortic aneurysms. Furthermore, a small number of animal studies showed a relationship between testosterone and vascular dilation, particularly the aorta. Although testosterone may play a role in the development of aortic pathologies, further research is necessary to clarify the possible relationship if cases such as these are to be prevented.

Keywords: aortic root dilation; testosterone; thoracic aortic aneurysm.