Korean Circ J.  2005 Jul;35(7):525-532. 10.4070/kcj.2005.35.7.525.

Increased Aortic Stiffness is Associated with Increased Left Ventricular Mass and Diastolic Dysfunction

• Rhee BH
• Park JH
• Kim HS
• Rhee KS
• Chae JK
• Ko JK
• Kim WH

• KMID: 1769291
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2005.35.7.525

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Stiffening of the aorta is a potential risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increased aortic stiffness can be associated with an increased left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of the aortic stiffness to the LV hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A total of 188 consecutive patients, without overt cardiovascular disease or symptoms, were included. The LV mass and diastolic filling patterns were assessed. The aortic strain and distensibility were indirectly obtained from the aortic diameters, using echocardiography and blood pressure measurements.
RESULTS
Of the 188 patients (92 males, 54+/-14 years old), hypertension was found in 57 and diabetes in 29, with both found in 32 patients. The aortic strain (3.77+/-2.42 vs. 5.13+/-4.27, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.11+/-0.09 vs. 0.22+/-0.21, p<0.001) were significantly lower, but the LV mass index (112.5+/-39.2 vs. 87.8+/-19.0 gm/m2, p<0.001) higher, in the hypertensive compared to normotensive patients. Also, the aortic strain (3.07+/-2.42 vs. 5.18+/-4.01, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.10+/-0.12 vs. 0.21+/-0.20, p<0.001) were lower in patients with LVH. The E/E' ratio was higher in the hypertensive patients (10.9+/-5.0 vs. 8.1+/-3.1, p<0.001) and in those with LVH (10.8+/-5.6 vs. 8.4+/-3.2, p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the parameters closely related with aortic strain were age (standardized coefficient beta=-0.240, p=0.001), LV mass index (beta=-0.158, p=0.025) and IVRT (beta=-0.155, p=0.035). The parameters significantly related with aortic distensibility were age (beta=-0.344, p<0.001) and LV mass index (beta=-0.224, p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
Increased aortic stiffness is associated with an increased LV mass and diastolic abnormality.

Keyword

Hypertension; Left ventricular hypertrophy; Aortic stiffness; Diastolic dysfunction

MeSH Terms

Aorta
Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular Diseases
Echocardiography
Humans
Hypertension
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular
Male
Mortality
Multivariate Analysis
Risk Factors
Vascular Stiffness*