title: Effect of age on left ventricular filling in children of hypertensive parents.
abstract: Doppler transmitral flow velocity A/E ratio is a useful noninvasive estimate of left ventricular (LV) filling. However, the A/E ratio increases with age. To evaluate the effect of age on LV filling in children, Doppler transmitral flow velocity A/E ratios and echocardiographic measurements were obtained in 51 normal children (mean age 12 +/- 4 years) of hypertensive parents (study children), sex- and age-matched against 28 normal children (mean age 12 +/- 4 years) from normotensive parents (control children). There was a significant correlation between age and LV systolic and diastolic internal dimensions (r = 0.74 and 0.83, respectively, P less than .0001, in study children, and r = 0.70 and 0.79, respectively, P less than .0001, in control children), total wall thickness (r = 0.72, P less than .0001, in study children, and 0.61, P less than .001, in control children), and with LV mass index (r = 0.56, P less than .0001 and r = 0.45, P less than .02, respectively). In contrast, there was no correlation between age and transmitral flow velocity A/E ratio in either group (r = 0.12 and 0.07, respectively). In conclusion, age does not have an effect on LV filling in normal children from either normotensive or hypertensive parents. Therefore, age correction of A/E ration, which is necessary in adults, is not required in children. Because of a strong correlation between age and LV mass as well as LV mass index, age should be taken into account when defining criteria for LV hypertrophy in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dianzumba
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DiPette
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Joyner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000502:physiology; D010290:Parents; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography