Biomechanical properties of the ascending aorta in patients with primary hypertension by velocity vector imaging

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of the ascending aorta (AA) in patients with primary hypertension (PH) by velocity vector imaging (VVI). Methods: Fifty patients with PH and 53 normal healthy control participants were prospectively enrolled. AA biomechanical properties, i.e., ascending aortic global longitudinal strain (ALS), ascending aortic global circumferential strain (ACS), and fractional area change (FAC), were evaluated by VVI. Pulse pressure (PP) was calculated. Distensibility (D) and stiffness index (SI) of AA were also obtained. Results: The ALS, ACS and FAC in the PH group were significantly lower than those in the control group (31.8%±10.3% vs. 38.6%±14.7%, 10.5%±3.5% vs. 13.8%±4.2%, 20.7%±5.5% vs. 28.5%±6.2%, respectively, all p<0.05). There were significant associations between biomechanical properties and D, SI and PP (ALS and D: r＝0.621, ALS and SI: r＝-0.556, ALS and PP: r＝-0.526, ACS and D: r＝0.653, ACS and SI: r＝-0.634, ACS and PP: r＝-0.513, FAC and D: r＝0.622, FAC and SI: r＝-0.600, FAC and PP: r＝-0.459, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions: The biomechanical properties of AA were impaired in patients with PH and correlated with pulse pressure and stiffness.