Color M-mode echocardiography-derived propagation velocity of descending aorta decreases with aging

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness (AS) can be determined by some noninvasive tests such as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Atherosclerosis is also detectable by some ultrasonographic techniques such as color M-mode-derived propagation velocity measured along the origin of the descending aorta (AVP). AIM: The aim of the study was to find out a possible relationship between atherosclerosis and AVP and whether AVP can be used as a parameter of AS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 134 people from routine screening examination who were ≥40 years old, completely healthy, and without any known disease and use of any drug. PWV has been determined to show aortic stiffness, and carotid artery intima– media thickness (CIMT) was measured for subclinical atherosclerosis. AVP values were obtained from all participants, and correlations were calculated between these parameters and age. RESULTS: AVP decreased (r=−0.902, P<0.001) and PWV increased (r=0.854, P<0.001) significantly with increasing age. CIMT also increased with aging (r=0.518, P<0.001). There were significant correlations between AVP and PWV (r=−0.832, P<0.001) and AVP and CIMT (r=−0.345, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Transthoracic echocardiographic determination of AVP can be used as a simple measurement of AS and correlates well with PWV, age, and CIMT in healthy people.