Comparison of echotracking and magnetic resonance assessment of abdominal aorta distensibility and relationships with pulse wave velocity.
Arterial distensibility can be measured either by echotracking or by nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI). Little information, however, is available on the comparison between the two methods and on the relationships between the results obtained with the two approaches and the arterial stiffness gold standard measurement, i.e., pulse wave velocity (PWV). In 28 normotensive subjects (age 33.0 ± 10.4 years, mean ± SD) we measured aortic diameter 1 cm above iliac bifurcation, aortic pulse pressure by tonometry and calculated arterial distensibility via the Reneman formulae for both methods. Aortic diameter and aortic distensibility were not superimposable and higher values were systematically detected with the MRI approach than with the ultrasound one. However, PWV showed a significant correlation with aortic distensibility values obtained by both methods (r = 0.50 and r = 0.49, p < 0.05). These data provide evidence that MRI-measured distensibility value is higher than that obtained via echotracking. The significant correlation with PWV, however, suggests that both methods can be regarded as valuable approaches. Considering the greater economic cost and the lower availability in daily clinical and research practice of MRI, echotracking ultrasonography can be regarded as a reliable and feasible method to assess aortic distensibility.
Clinica Medica, Milano Bicocca University and S.Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
Cristina
C
Giannattasio
Francesca
F
Cesana
Silvia
S
Maestroni
Alessandra
A
Salvioni
Alessandro
A
Maloberti
Stefano
S
Nava
Matteo
M
Cairo
Fabiana
F
Madotto
Filippo
F
Zerboni
Sandro
S
Sironi
Guido
G
Grassi
Giuseppe
G
Mancia
D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity