Influence of Aging on Pulmonary Arterial Dynamics and Pulmonary Flow Signal Assessed by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Abstract

To assess the effect of aging on pulmonary arterial distensibility, we analyzed right pulmonary arterial M-mode echogram and main pulmonary arterial flow signal in 45 patients with normal pulmonary arterial pressure and normal left ventricular function by transesophageal echocardiography. The right pulmonary arterial dimension became significantly greater with advancing age associated with a significant reduction in pulmonary arterial distensibility and acceleration time of the main pulmonary arterial flow. Earlier appearance of the reflection wave resulted from reduced compliance of the pulmonary artery might cause earlier onset of deceleration of the main pulmonary arterial flow.