Effects of aging on cardiac blood flow velocities

Abstract

The effects of aging on cardiac blood flow velocities are important as a description of the natural history of the aging process and as a reference for evaluation of the aging cardiovascular system. We therefore studied these effects in 215 healthy volunteers, 120 males and 95 females, between 1 and 65 years old. Pulsed Doppler signals were recorded proximal and distal to the mitral (M) and tricuspid (T) valves, in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), in the ascending aorta (AAO), in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), and in the pulmonary artery (PA). Systolic (S) flow velocity patterns consist mainly of one peak. Diastolic blood flow velocity is characterized by two peaks: one due to early filling (E) of the ventricle and a second as a result of atrial contraction (A). All peaks are characterized by the maximum of the median velocity curve (Vmax). With age increasing from 1 to 65 years, VmaxS decreases in the AAO (40%) and PA (10%), VmaxE decreases on both sides of the M valve (proximal-50%; distal-30%), and the T valve (proximal-20%; distal-30%). However, with increasing age VmaxS increases in the LVOT (25%), and VmaxA increases on both sides of the M valve (proximal-20%; distal-50%) and proximal to the T valve (30%). VmaxS in the RVOT and VmaxA distal to the T valve did not show a relation with age. These observations demonstrate that in a normal population Vmax in the heart and great vessels is age dependent at most sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Normal aortic dimensions and flow in 168 children and young adults

“…Flow velocity in ascending aorta decreased slightly with increasing age, agreeing with earlier studies (Hatle, 1984;Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988. Flow velocity in ascending aorta decreased slightly with increasing age, agreeing with earlier studies (Hatle, 1984;Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988.…”

“…In the present study, greater VTI and maximal flow velocity were measured in descending aorta than in ascending aorta despite diminished blood flow in descending aorta because of blood flow into vessels leaving from the aortic arch. Flow velocity in ascending aorta decreased slightly with increasing age, agreeing with earlier studies (Hatle, 1984;Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988. In contrast, velocities in ascending and descending aorta were similar in 110 subjects aged 14 days to 35 years (Wilson et al, 1985).…”

“…There are studies reporting flow velocities in ascending aorta in children (Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988Seear et al, 1991). There are studies reporting flow velocities in ascending aorta in children (Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988Seear et al, 1991).…”

“…In order to make precise distinction between normal and abnormal blood flow, Doppler flow characteristics of healthy people must be known. There are studies reporting flow velocities in ascending aorta in children (Levy et al, 1985;Van Dam et al, 1987, 1988Seear et al, 1991). Studies reporting flow velocities in both ascending and descending aorta in children are scarce (Wilson et al, 1985).…”

Comparison of flow patterns in ascending aortic aneurysms and volunteers using four‐dimensional magnetic resonance velocity mapping

“…On review of our data, which describes mean velocity at peak systole, peak velocities show a significant slowing in the transverse aorta. Prior ultrasound data has shown a significant increase in velocity in the descending aorta when compared to the ascending aorta (30–33), but no comparisons were made to the transverse aorta, presumably due to the large beam‐flow intercept angles. Furthermore, velocities in the ascending aorta in patients were significantly decreased compared to volunteers, but in the transverse aortic arch, the difference in velocities was no longer significant.…”