Assessment of aortic elasticity and its relation with left ventricular filling and diastolic parameters by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract

ÖzetBackground: There are limited data comparing aortic dimensions and elastic properties between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Therefore, we aimed to investigate aortic dimensions and indices of aortic elastic properties as well as their relation with left ventricular (LV) filling and diastolic parameters obtained from TTE and TEE. Method: Forty two patients were included in the study. Aortic dimensions and related elasticity parameters, LV filling and diastolic parameters, left atrial volume index (LAVi), LV mass index were calculated from TTE and TEE recordings in all patients. The correlation analyses were performed for aortic elasticity indices and LV filling and diastolic parameters obtained from TTE and TEE.Results: There were no significant differences in aortic dimensions and elasticity indexes obtained from TTE and TEE. The correlation analysis revealed that while age E/A, E/E` and LAVi were significantly correlated with aortic elasticity indexes obtained from both TTE and TEE, LV mass index was significantly correlated with only TEE aortic elasticity indices. Conclusion: When compared to TTE, aortic elastic properties obtained from TEE were more closely related with LV filling and diastolic parameters. In addition, the indexes of aortic function were comparable between TEE and TTE with good intra and interobserver variability.