Correlations between Arteriograph-derived pulse wave velocity and aortic elastic properties by echocardiography

Introduction: There is an increased scientific interest on the evaluation of parameters characterizing aortic elasticity. The current study was designed to compare two characteristics of aortic distensibility: Arteriograph-derived pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index standardized to 80 per minutes heart rate (AIx80) and aortic elastic properties by echocardiography.

Methods: The study comprised 21 adult healthy volunteers. In all cases, systolic and diastolic ascending aortic diameters were recorded during transthoracic echocardiography in M-mode at a level 3 cm above the aortic valve from a parasternal long-axis view. Using forearm blood pressure values, the following aortic elastic properties were calculated: aortic strain, distensibility and stiffness index. All patients were examined by Arteriograph at the same time, as well.

Results: The Arteriograph-derived AIx80 and PWV correlated with aortic strain (R = -0·495, P = 0·023 and R = -0·527, P = 0·014, respectively) and aortic stiffness index (R = 0·454, P = 0·039 and R = 0·608, P = 0·003, respectively). Aortic distensibility did not correlated with AIx80 (R = -0·344, P = 0·127), only with PWV (R = -0·593, P = 0·005, respectively).

Discussion: Low to moderate correlations could be demonstrated between Arteriograph-derived PWV and aortic elastic properties by echocardiography.