Ascending to descending aortic pulse pressure amplification in children

A peripheral pulse pressure (PP) is larger than a central PP (PP amplification). The phenomenon has been examined in adult, but not in children.

Fifty-four patients with a normal aorta were enrolled. The ascending and descending aorta pressure waveforms were recorded by a pressure sensor-mounted catheter. The difference of the PP, which was defined as the PP in the descending aorta minus that in the ascending aorta and the ratio of the PP, which was defined as the ratio of the descending to the ascending aortic PP, was examined as the index of the PP amplification.

The patient's age was 6.2 ± 3.0 years. The difference of the PP was 4.5 ± 2.7 mmHg and had a significant positive relationship with the mean blood pressure (r = 0.46, P = 0.0005) and the age (r = 0.36, P = 0.009). The ratio of the PP was 1.14 ± 0.08 and had a significant positive relationship with the mean blood pressure (r = 0.42, P = 0.002) and the age (r = 0.29, P = 0.04).

The PP amplification is observed even in children. The degree of the PP amplification increases with age during childhood contrary to the relationship in adults.