Aortic stiffness is increased in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome being in early necrotic phase

Background: Persistent eosinophilia and eosinophil-mediated single- or multiple-organ damage are typical features of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Theoretically, eosinophilic infiltration of the ascending aortic wall could not be excluded in HES, therefore the present study aimed to test whether HES is associated with abnormalities in aortic elastic properties. Methods: The present study comprised 10 HES patients (mean age: 57.6+/-10.1 years, 5 males) without known cardiovascular disease, their results were compared to 19 age-, gender- and risk factor-matched controls (59.2+/-4.2 years, 15 males). Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography with measurement of echocardiographic aortic elastic properties was performed in all HES cases and controls. Results: Although neither systolic (30.6+/-3.4 vs. 30.1+/-3.6 mm, P=ns), nor diastolic (28.7+/-3.6 vs. 27.8+/-3.2 mm, P=ns) aortic diameter differed significantly between HES patients and matched controls, significantly increased aortic stiffness index (11.19+/-5.65 vs. 7.04+/-2.97, P