Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular end-systolic elastance in the elderly

Background The aging heart is characterized by structural changes, which are implicated in the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. However, important changes in systolic function may also occur. Left ventricular end‐systolic elastance (Ees) is a major determinant of cardiac systolic function and ventricular—arterial interaction. Aim To evaluate left‐ventricular Ees in elderly subjects compared with adult control subjects. Methods We studied dilated (DA, n=14) and hypertensive (HA, n=21) cardiomyopathy patients, and both adult control (A, n=25; age 55.6±6.6 years) and elderly (E, n=25; age 76.3±7.1 years) subjects without clinical–instrumental evidence of cardiovascular disease. M‐mode, two‐dimensional, and pulsed Doppler echocardiogram were performed. Doppler‐derived indices of diastolic function were assessed and Ees was calculated by a modified single‐beat method. Results Ees was reduced in dilated cardiomyopathy (1.32±0.10 mm Hg/ml) and increased in hypertensive cardiomyopathy (3.12±0.33 mm Hg/ml) patients compared to age‐matched control subjects (1.96±0.26 mm Hg/ml; p