Petrini J, et al. - The relation between intima-media thickness of the descending aorta (AoIMT) and the common carotid artery (CIMT) was evaluated in patients with and without severe aortic valve disease (sAVD). Compared to those without sAVD, the correlation between CIMT and AoIMT was weaker in patients with sAVD. Moreover, the aortic mean pressure gradient (P_mean) was a significant predictor of AoIMT, but not of CIMT. Findings revealed that turbulent aortic flow or altered blood flow helicity created by large stroke volumes and diastolic flow reversal or high-velocity jets, affected the intima-media of the descending aorta and common carotid artery differently, in addition to the atherosclerotic process.