CHANGES IN PRESSURE WAVE TRANSMISSION ALONG HUMAN AORTA WITH AGE AND ARTERIAL DISEASE

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that in children the amplitude of pressure waves increases progressively along the aorta and a diastolic wave appears in peripheral arteries. These alterations become less with age or arterial disease so that the wave is transmitted virtually unchanged in older patients (pts.) with arterial degenerative disease. Pressures were measured in aortic root, aortic arch, and either iliac or brachial arteries during diagnostic catheterization in 198 pts., aged 1 day to 70 yrs. There was no significant difference in amplification for pts. with normal arteries and normal aortic valves (81), aortic stenosis (48), or aortic insufficiency (9). Amplification averaged 1.56±.26 for normal pts. aged 0-19 yrs., 1.23±.19 between 20-39, and 1.17±.13 over 40. For each age range, pts. with arterial disease had a lower mean amplification, but with considerable overlap after 40 yrs. Slightly improved separation of normal and abnormal was obtained using catheter-tip manometers, Fourier analysis and amplification of individual harmonic terms. Pulsewave velocity, using foot-to-foot transmission time and measured catheter lengths from aortic arch, averaged 455±78 cm/sec in 50 normals, 464±82 in 39 with aortic stenosis, and 622±245 in 18 with arterial disease.

(Supported by NIH-HL14207-03).

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