Local indices of aortic stiffness a magnetic resonance imaging study

The stiffness of the aortic wall was evaluated by coupling the morphological and the blood flow MR data. The deformability of the ascending aorta, and the aortic Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) were estimated in a series of 36 volunteers aged between 14 and 77 years. An accurate automatic method of segmentation for extracting contours of the aorta was used. A 3D estimation of the length of the aortic arch and a precise measurement of the transit time between ascending and descending flow waves were performed. Results. The deformability and the PWV were inversely related. Mean ± SD values of deformability and PWV for the younger subjects (age<50) were respectively 0.25±0.11 and 4.03±0.83m/s. For the older subjects (age¿50) they were 0.068±0.04 and 7.01±1.14m/s. Conclusions. The local and automated approach for measurement of deformability and PWV characterizes directly the stiffness of the aorta and results are consistent with previous studies.