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Elastic aortic properties in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a single center echocardiographic evaluation

E Vizzardi1, E Sciatti, I Bonadei

  • 1Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Study of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. edoardo.sc@tin.it.

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|December 10, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients have a larger aorta and stiffer aortic elastic properties than healthy individuals. These findings may aid in understanding treatment response and prognosis in HCM.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Previous research indicates impaired aortic elastic properties in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.
  • Data on aortic dimensions in HCM patients remain inconsistent.
  • Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and tissue strain offer potential insights into aortic alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate aortic dimensions and elastic properties in HCM patients.
  • To evaluate the role of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and tissue strain in assessing aortic alterations in HCM.
  • To compare aortic characteristics between HCM patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 25 HCM patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers.
  • Aortic dimensions were measured at four distinct levels (Valsalva sinuses, sinotubular junction, tubular tract, aortic arch).
  • Aortic elastic properties (distensibility, stiffness, M-mode strain, tissue strain) and TDI aortic wall velocities (S', E', A') were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in aortic dimensions were observed at the sinotubular junction and aortic arch.
  • HCM patients exhibited significantly higher aortic stiffness compared to controls.
  • TDI waves (S', E', A') were significantly greater in HCM patients, indicating altered aortic wall dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • HCM patients demonstrate larger aortic dimensions and altered aortic elastic properties compared to healthy individuals.
  • These findings highlight potential biomarkers for assessing HCM progression and treatment efficacy.
  • Further research may elucidate the prognostic implications of these aortic changes in HCM.
Abstract

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