Baseline Characteristics of The Patient Population.

<p>Baseline Characteristics of The Patient Population.</p

Results of the MMPs and TIMPs serum levels.

<p>Only MMP-9 serum level was significantly higher in patients with new-EE compared to controls and patients with no new-EE. Medians and interquartile ranges are shown.</p

Gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 (92 kDa) evaluated by in-gel zymography.

<p><b>A</b>: Gelatinolytic activity is greater in New-EE patients. <b>B</b>: Densitometric analysis of the values of gelatinase activity expressed as arbitrary units (AR). Results are given as means ±SEM. *p<0.0001 <i>vs.</i> Controls; †p = 0.05 versus No new-EE patients.</p

Predictors of New-EE by Multivariable Analysis.

<p>OR = odds ratio; SD = standard deviation; CI = confidence interval.</p

Flow chart showing enrollment of study patients.

<p>Flow chart showing enrollment of study patients.</p

Receiver Operating Characteristic curves analysis using vegetation length and MMP-9 serum level as predictors of new-EE.

<p>The area under de curves are given with their 95% confidence interval.</p

Amagnetic ergometer (LODE, Netherlands) allowing a supine treadmill test during MRI (1.5 T).

<p>Amagnetic ergometer (LODE, Netherlands) allowing a supine treadmill test during MRI (1.5 T).</p

Functionnal MRI methodology.

<p>SSFP images in oblique sagittal plane (A) to describe aortic segmentation and lengths at three levels (pulmonary arterial trunk, descending aorta 3 cm above the diaphragm, and aorta above the coeliac trunk), and to focus on four locations (AA, ascending aorta, PDA, proximal descending aorta, DDA, distal descending aorta, CA, aorta above the coeliac trunk). Retrospective cine sequence acquired at the AA and DDA (B) to assess compliance (AC) and distensibility (AD), with respective area profiles during a cardiac cycle, at rest ((C), at the AA level, ΔS = 147 mm², AC = 2.62 mm²/mmHg, AD = 6.6.10⁻³ mmHg^-1) and at peak stress ((D), at the AA level, ΔS = 122 mm², AC = 1.76 mm²/mmHg, AD = 4.8.10⁻³ mmHg^-1). Aortic arch PWV assessed by through plane velocity-encoded MRI (E) at rest ((F), Δt = 61 ms, PWV = 3.89 m/s) and at peak stress ((G), Δt = 57ms, PWV = 4.18 m/s).</p

Variation in regional delta area at rest and under exercise conditions.

<p>AA delta area was significantly higher than in PDA, DDA, CA under the both conditions (*p<0.001). No difference was observed along the descending aorta.</p

Effects of exercise on hemodynamics during MRI and tonometry protocols.

<p>Effects of exercise on hemodynamics during MRI and tonometry protocols.</p