Abstract
Distensibility of the descending aorta was evaluated during routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 50 subjects (16 to 80 years, average age 53). M-mode measurements of aortic systolic (SD) and diastolic diameter (DD) were taken distal to the left subclavian artery. Simultaneously, cuff brachial artery systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressures were measured. Aortic pressure strain modulus (Ep), calculated as brachial artery pulse pressure/aortic strain, averaged 1.19 ± 0.95 10 6 dynes/cm 2. Elasticity index β, defined as 1n (SBP/DBP)/aortic strain, averaged 3.77 ± 2.12. Both Ep and β were correlated with age ( r = 0.65, p < 0.001;andr = 0.70, p < 0.0001). In 20 subjects aortic pulse wave velocity was assessed at the same time using simultaneous high fidelity recordings of carotid and femoral artery pressure waveforms. Aortic pulse wave velocity averaged 818 ± 231 cm/sec and was correlated with Ep ( r = 0.60, p < 0.01) and with age ( r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Intraobserver and interobserver variability for aortic diameter measurement ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 mm.
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