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

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.

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.

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).

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