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Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
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Arterial stiffening is a crucial factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a community-based normotensive

Maeda Mika1, Hideaki Kanzaki2, Takuya Hasegawa2

  • 1Division of Organ Regeneration Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.

International Journal of Cardiology. Hypertension
|January 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Aortic stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is linked to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction even in individuals without hypertension. This suggests increased aortic stiffness may be a risk factor for diastolic dysfunction, independent of blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Physiology
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is a key hemodynamic factor in heart failure.
  • Hypertension is known to increase aortic stiffness, impacting LV diastolic function.
  • The independent role of aortic stiffness in LV diastolic dysfunction among normotensive individuals requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction in normotensive subjects.
  • To determine if aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor for LV diastolic dysfunction, irrespective of blood pressure.

Main Methods:

  • 262 consecutive normotensive subjects underwent echocardiography and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements.
  • LV diastolic dysfunction was defined using transmitral flow and mitral annular velocities.
  • Aortic stiffness was assessed non-invasively using brachial-ankle PWV.

Main Results:

  • LV diastolic dysfunction was identified in 26% of normotensive subjects.
  • Subjects with LV diastolic dysfunction exhibited significantly higher PWV compared to those without (15.4 ± 3.6 vs. 13.0 ± 2.7 m/s, p < 0.01).
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed PWV as an independent predictor of LV diastolic dysfunction (p = 0.02), after adjusting for multiple confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic stiffness and LV diastolic function are interrelated in normotensive individuals.
  • Increased aortic stiffness may represent a risk factor for developing LV diastolic dysfunction, even in the absence of hypertension.
Abstract

Keywords:
Diastolic functionNormotensionPulse wave velocity

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