Elastic aortic properties in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a single center echocardiographic evaluation

E. Vizzardi, E. Sciatti, I. Bonadei, S. Gelsomino, R. Lorusso, M. Metra

Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Study of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. edoardo.sc@tin.it

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• Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies revealed that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients have impaired aortic elastic properties with contrasting data about aortic dimensions. We aimed to extend our knowledge about this topic, considering tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and tissue strain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 25 HCM patients and 25 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex were enrolled. They underwent transthoracic echocardiography to measure aortic dimensions at four levels (Valsalva sinuses, sinotubular junction, tubular tract, aortic arch), elastic properties (i.e., distensibility, stiffness, M-mode strain, tissue strain), and TDI aortic wall velocities (S’, E’, A’ waves).

RESULTS: Aortic dimensions differed between the two groups only at sinotubular junction (18 ± 6 vs. 15 ± 3 mm/m2; p = 0.039) and aortic arch levels (19 ± 5 vs. 11 ± 8 mm/m2; p < 0.001). Aortic stiffness was significantly higher among patients (16.4 ± 23.2 vs. 5.9 ± 3.4; p = 0.034), and TDI waves greater (S’: 5.2 ± 1.9 vs. 8.0 ± 2.7 cm/s, p < 0.001; E’: -5.3 ± 2.4 vs. –7.2 ± 2.7 cm/s, p = 0.012; A’: –5.3 ± 1.6 vs. –8.6 ± 4.5 cm/s, p = 0.002). M-mode and tissue strains, and aortic distensibility did not reach statistical significance, although showing a tendency to altered values in the HCM group.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients affected by HCM show a larger aorta and altered aortic elastic properties compared with healthy volunteers. These findings could help to investigate treatment response and prognosis of these alterations.

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