Analysis of the relationship between the amplitude of aortic wall motion and heart function.

Purpose: Because the posterior wall of the aorta and left atrium are interlocked, the amplitude of motion of the aortic wall (AMAW) may reflect cardiac and vessel functions. This study examined the relationship between cardiac and vessel functions and AMAW.

Methods: Patients with cardiovascular diseases or patients undergoing health examinations who visited a participating hospital and underwent echocardiography and brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) examinations were registered. The correlations between echocardiographic indices, ankle-brachial index, and baPWV and AMAW on M-mode echocardiography were analyzed.

Results: Overall, 184 patients were enrolled. Heart rate (r =  - 0.1587), ejection fraction (EF; r = 0.3240), wall thickness (r =  - 0.1598), peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E) to peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity ratio (e'; r =  - 0.2463), and baPWV (r =  - 0.1928) significantly correlated with AMAW. In the stratified multiple regression analysis, E/e' (standardized partial regression coefficients =  - 0.1863) and mean baPWV (standardized partial regression coefficients =  - 0.1917) in patients with an EF of ≥ 60% (n = 114) significantly correlated with AMAW. In patients with an EF of < 60% (n = 70), E/e' (standardized partial regression coefficients =  - 0.2443) significantly correlated with AMAW.

Conclusion: Because E/e' correlated with AMAW in patients with an EF of < 60% or ≥ 60%, AMAW might be an indicator of left atrial pressure elevation. Moreover, because AMAW correlated with baPWV in patients with an EF of ≥ 60%, changes in the restricted left atrial volume might influence diastolic dysfunction. AMAW may be related to cardiac and vessel functions.