Aortic root movement correlation with the function of the left ventricle

Abstract

Echocardiographic assessment of systolic and diastolic function of the heart is often limited by image quality. However, the aortic root is well visualized in most patients. We hypothesize that the aortic root motion may correlate with the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle of the heart. Data obtained from 101 healthy volunteers (mean age 46.6 ± 12.4) was used in the study. The data contained sequences of standard two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic B-mode (brightness mode, classical ultrasound grayscale presentation) images corresponding to single cardiac cycles. They also included sets of standard echocardiographic Doppler parameters of the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. For each B-mode image sequence, the aortic root was tracked with use of a correlation tracking algorithm and systolic and diastolic values of traveled distances and velocities were determined. The aortic root motion parameters were correlated with the standard Doppler parameters used for the assessment of LV function. The aortic root diastolic distance (ARDD) mean value was 1.66 ± 0.26 cm and showed significant, moderate correlation (r up to 0.59, p < 0.0001) with selected left ventricular diastolic Doppler parameters. The aortic root maximal diastolic velocity (ARDV) was 10.8 ± 2.4 cm/s and also correlated (r up to 0.51, p < 0.0001) with some left ventricular diastolic Doppler parameters. The aortic root systolic distance (ARSD) was 1.63 ± 0.19 cm and showed no significant moderate correlation (all r values < 0.40). The aortic root maximal systolic velocity (ARSV) was 9.2 ± 1.6 cm/s and correlated in moderate range only with peak systolic velocity of medial mitral annulus (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001). Based on these results, we conclude, that in healthy subjects, aortic root motion parameters correlate significantly with established measurements of left ventricular function. Aortic root motion parameters can be especially useful in patients with low ultrasound image quality precluding usage of typical LV function parameters.

Correlation of Aortic Root Movement with Left Ventricular Function

“…Karwat et al studied the aortic root motion parameters in a healthy population and found a significant correlation with diastolic parameters of ARDD more than ARDV. [8] These findings are in contrast to our findings where systolic parameters correlated better than those of diastolic parameters. There may be several factors which need to be analyzed that are affecting the movement of the aortic root and we need to include them in the analysis.…”

Aortic annular plane systolic excursion in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

“…We opted to use the abbreviation AAPSE (and change anterior aortic to aortic annular) to complement MAPSE and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to aid ease of use and understanding. In humans AAPSE correlates with other measures of longitudinal systolic function such as MAPSE and GLS 12,15 . Although GLS was not performed in our retrospective cases, AAPSE did correlate with MAPSE and tissue Doppler S′ wave from the IVS.…”

“…In humans, aortic annular plane systolic excursion (AAPSE) is suggested as a marker of LV longitudinal systolic function which is technically easier to obtain and correlates with MAPSE and GLS. 12,[14][15][16] Currently there are no published reference intervals for AAPSE in cats and no reports on the diagnostic use of AAPSE in cats with HCM.…”

“…But this measurement requires a left apical view, which can be challenging to acquire especially in unstable cats. In humans, aortic annular plane systolic excursion (AAPSE) is suggested as a marker of LV longitudinal systolic function which is technically easier to obtain and correlates with MAPSE and GLS 12,14‐16 …”

“…In humans, aortic annular plane systolic excursion (AAPSE) is suggested as a marker of LV longitudinal systolic function which is technically easier to obtain and correlates with MAPSE and GLS. 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”