Relation Between Aortic Stiffness Index and Distensibility with Age in Hypertensive Patients

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure is associated with physiologic changes of aortic wall and left ventricular structure. We aimed to evaluate aortic stiffness index and distensibility, global longitudinal strain (GLS), post systolic index (PSI) in hypertensive patients and compare these parameters with normotensive subjects.

Eighty-two patients (42 hypertensive compared with 40 normotensive subjects) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and without significant coronary artery disease were enrolled in the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured by automated BP measurement system. Aortic stiffness index and distensibility, GLS and PSI were measured by transthoracic echocardiography and compared in both study groups.

Aortic stiffness index (0.097 vs 0.069) and E/e´ (8.16 vs 6.56) were significantly higher in hypertensive patients, respectively (p<0.05). Aortic distensibility (cm²/dyn) (0.28 vs 0.42) and e´ (cm/s) (8.25 vs 9.52) were significantly lower in hypertensive patients than normotensive subjects (p<0.05). PSI and GLS were not significantly different between both study groups. Aortic stiffness index and distensibility had significant correlation with age in normotensive subjects while this correlation was not statistically significant in hypertensive patients.

Hypertension is associated with diastolic dysfunction and abnormal aortic wall compliance. Age-related aortic wall changes can present early in hypertensive patients.