Evaluation of Ascending Aortic Longitudinal Strain Via Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Hypertensive Patients Complicated by Type A Aortic Dissection.

Objective: To explore the value of ascending aortic longitudinal strain (LS) in identification of hypertensive (HP) patients with a high risk of type A aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods: Total 40 primary HP patients with AAD (group C), 80 selected age- and sex-matched primary HP patients (group A, normal-sized ascending aorta (AA), n = 40; group B, dilated AA, n = 40) and 40 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Brachial blood pressures were measured, and the aortic stiffness index (β) determined by M-mode analysis was calculated as a conventional parameter of arterial stiffness.

Evaluation of Common Carotid Stiffness via Echo Tracking in Hypertensive Patients Complicated by Acute Aortic Dissection.

Objectives: To evaluate the common carotid stiffness via echo tracking in patients with hypertension and acute aortic dissection (AD) and to investigate the independent predictors for the occurrence of AD in hypertensive (HP) patients.

Methods: Fifty HP patients complicated by acute AD (AD group), 50 HP patients without AD (HP group), and 50 age-matched healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled to assess the common carotid stiffness index (β), single-point pulsed wave velocity (PWVβ), and arterial compliance (AC) via echo tracking.

Results: The intima-media thickness, diameter, β and PWVβ of the common carotid artery (CCA) in the AD group were significantly higher than those in the HP and control groups, whereas AC in the AD group was significantly lower (P < .