Age-related changes in aortic arch geometry in the Taif population using computed tomography angiography (CTA)

This study aimed to characterize age-related geometric changes of the aortic arch in a Saudi population using high-resolution computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to generate region-specific reference values that may improve cardiovascular risk assessment. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at King Faisal Medical Complex in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Seventy adults aged 20–80 years were categorized into young (20–40 years), middle-aged (41–60 years), and older (61–80 years) groups. CTA datasets were analyzed using specialized software to quantify aortic arch width, height, length, and curvature. In a cohort of 70 participants, aortic arch width showed the strongest correlation with age (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The radius of curvature also showed a moderate positive association with age, reflecting progressive aortic unfolding. In contrast, arch height and arch length did not show significant age-related variation. Across all age groups, males consistently exhibited larger aortic dimensions than females. The findings present preliminary regional insights into thoracic aortic remodeling and may indicate plausible regional impacts, including high-altitude physiological adaption, which deserve additional exploration. This study reveals that Taif's high-altitude environment (∼1,800 m) may suggest possible regional influences on aortic remodeling, shedding light on thoracic aortic remodeling in Saudi Arabia. These findings, which address a significant regional knowledge gap, highlight the necessity of preliminary region-specific benchmarks for more accurate cardiovascular assessment.