4Dimensional XStrain Echocardiography: M-mode and Tissue Doppler Estimation of Age and Gender Specific Normative Values of Aortic Stiffness in Healthy Adults during Covid-19 Pandemic.

The elastic properties of the aorta are modified in numerous cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. Multiple studies have evaluated aortic stiffness in myriads of disease state, albeit only few Indian studies have estimated the normal values of aortic stiffness in healthy population. To the best of our knowledge, till date no research has been undertaken to determine the age and gender specific value ranges of aortic stiffness parameters in healthy subjects. Hence, in the present study we endeavoured to estimate these values in our distinctive study groups of healthy adults. This was a prospective observational study in which 58 healthy adults were enrolled during the turbulent corona pandemic. Study group was of the age group 18-60 years of either sex and was arbitrarily divided into six groups. Exhaustive M-mode and Tissue doppler Imaging was performed by 4Dimensional XStrain echocardiography system for extensive evaluation of multiple M-mode and Tissue Doppler imaging derived parameters of Aortic stiffness and superior wall velocities of ascending aorta. AOS, AOD, Aortic strain, and elasticity modulus were greater in males. On the contrary Aortic superior wall velocities (SAO, EAO, and AAO) were higher in females. Increasing age led to a decline in majority of stiffness parameters derived by M-mode echocardiography. Correspondingly EAO determined by TDI of superior wall of aorta, showed a deterioration with advancing age. The authors report a normal range of M-mode and TDI derived values of Aortic stiffness of ascending aorta, in healthy Indian adults. Difference in magnitude of aortic elasticity indices has been demonstrated in men and women, as well as in different subsets of the study group.