A new echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness and atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease: Aortic propagation velocity

Background: In this study, a novel echocardiographic parameter in the evaluation of the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stiffness, aortic propagation velocity, was measured and compared with other conventional aortic stiffness parameters such as aortic strain and aortic distensibility. Also, the relation between aortic propagation velocity and carotid intima media thickness was evaluated. Method and results: A total of 51 patients with CAD and 42 patients with normal coronary arteries as a non-CAD group were included in the study. Aortic propagation velocity was significantly lower in the CAD group ( p<. 0.001). A statistically significant relation was detected between aortic propagation velocity and the maximum, mean, and overall carotid intima media thickness values for right and left carotid arteries ( p<. 0.001). There was a statistically significant relation between aortic propagation velocity, aortic strain, and aortic distensibility ( r=. 0.556, p<. 0.001 and r=. 0.483, p<. 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Aortic propagation velocity is a novel and simple echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness which is feasible for non invasive cardiovascular risk stratification and selection of high risk individuals for CAD. © 2013 Japanese College of Cardiology.