Measurement of aortic stiffness in children with asthma by evaluating pulse wave velocity (PWV) using echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE

Asthma bronchiale (AB) is not only limited to the lungs but is also accompanied by systemic inflammation. The aortic stiffness increases with AB. We aimed to evaluate pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement using an echocardiography device and analyze the factors affecting it.

METHODS

50 AB and 50 healthy children were included in the study. Hematological tests, lung function tests, and echocardiographic evaluations were performed for all patients. Aortic elasticity parameters such as aortic strain, aortic stiffness index, distensibility, and PWV were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean age in AB and control groups was 12.07 (± 2.65), 12.70 (± 3.59) years, respectively. 63% of the AB group and 55% of the control group were male. Blood lipid and CRP levels were similar in both groups. FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75 were significantly lower in the AB group ( = .002, .000, and .004, respectively). The ventricular function parameters and aortic root and ascending aorta diameters were similar between the groups. The PWV was significantly higher in the AB group ( = .000). There was a correlation between PWV and lung function tests and between FEF25-75 and aortic diameter changes.

CONCLUSION

In AB patients, aortic elasticity parameters were similar in measurements based on diameter change, whereas PWV measurement was performed when aortic stiffness was high. PWV measurement with an echocardiography device is repeatable, practical, and fast at the patient's bedside, and can be performed without additional software and equipment. The PWV obtained using the new measurement technique are closely related to lung function.