Simple and New Echocardiographic Parameter Related to Aging: Descending Aortic Continuous Wave Doppler Systolic Peak Gradient

Abstract

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The world inhabitants increasing to grow older fastly, due to rising longevity. A new parameters related to cardiovascular aging may help to understand cardiac pathophysiology and prevention of cardiac disorders. The aim of the study was to find out a possible relationship between descending aortic continuous wavedoppler systolic peak gradient and aging, age related illnesses.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 372 people. Aortic coarctation patients and under 18 years old participants exluded to the study. Continuous wave doppler measurements from suprasternal window at supine position were recorded with the cursor parallel to main flow of direction in descending aorta. Descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient was obtained from all participants, and correlations were evaluated between participants caracteristics,echocardiographic, biochemical parameters and age.RESULTS: When descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient was analyzed, there was negative correlations with age (r= -0.499, p<0.001); creatinine (r= -0.217, p<0.001); urea (r= - 0.289, p<0.001); Hba1c (r= -0.252 p<0.001); LVEDD (r= -0.188, p<0.001); LVESD (r= -0.200, p<0.001); IVS (r= -0.259, p<0.001);PW (r= -0.248, p<0.001); LA (r= -0.272, p<0.001); PAP (r= -0.217, p<0.001); E/E’ (r= -0.185, p<0.001), ascending aortic diameter (r= - 0.269, p<0.001) and positive correlations with eGFR (Cockcroft-Gault mL/dk) (r= 0.395, p<0.001), EF (r= 0.266 p<0.001). In MannWhitney U test, descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient was significantly lower in HT (p<0.001); CAD (p<0.001); AF(p<0.001); systolic heart failure patients (p<0.001) when compared to those without this disease.In stepwise linear regression analysis, significant independent correlates of descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient was only age (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: Measurement of descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient is noninvasive, practical, repeatable and simple method and independently related to the aging. Decreasing descending aortic continuous wave doppler systolic peak gradient measurements can be easily feasible in clinical practice as an indicator of aging.