Age-associated changes in regional aortic pulse wave velocity

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to determine noninvasively the age-associated changes in regional mechanical properties in normals using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PCMRI). BACKGROUND It has been well documented that there is a progressive increase in aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) with age. Previously, PWV has been measured at a single aortic location, or has compared arterial waves between carotid and femoral points to determine PWV. METHODS Applanation tonometry (TONO) and in-plane PCMR was performed in 24 volunteers (12 men) ranging in age from 21 to 72 years old. The PCMRI PWV was measured in three aortic segments. As validation, TONO was performed to determine PWV between the carotid and femoral artery. RESULTS When PCMRI PWV was averaged over the three locations, it was not different from TONO (7.9 ± 2.3 vs. 7.6 ± 2.4 m/s, respectively). When the volunteers were divided into groups of