Correlations between echocardiographic aortic elastic properties and left ventricular rotation and twist--insights from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Healthy Study.

INTRODUCTION

There is an interaction between the left ventricle (LV) and the vascular system, which plays a crucial role in determining cardiac output. LV twist could be evaluated by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) as the net difference of counterclockwise apical and clockwise basal LV rotations during systole. Aortic elasticity parameters could be measured during a routine transthoracic echocardiographic examination. The current study was designed to evaluate correlations between echocardiographic aortic elastic properties and LV rotational mechanics in healthy subjects.

METHODS

The present study comprised 26 healthy volunteers (mean age: 34.5 ± 9.8 years, 13 men). The following aortic elastic properties were measured from aortic data and forearm blood pressure values: aortic strain, distensibility and stiffness index (ASI). 3DSTE was used to measure basal and apical LV rotations and LV twist.

RESULTS

During 3DSTE, basal LV rotation proved to be -2.42 ± 1.43 degree, while apical LV rotation was 8.56 ± 1.43 degree, therefore LV twist was 11.01 ± 5.19 degree. Aortic strain (0.131 ± 0.094), distensibility (3.61 ± 2.54 cm² dynes(-1) 10(-6)) and ASI (4.08 ± 0.79) were also calculated. Apical LV rotation correlated with aortic distensibility (r = -0.36, P<0.05) and ASI (r = 0.41, P<0.05). LV twist showed similar correlation with ASI (r = 0.42, P<0.05).

DISCUSSION

Correlations exist between echocardiographic aortic elastic properties and 3DSTE-derived LV rotation and twist in healthy subjects.