Echocardiographic Assessment of the Effect of Aging on the Diastolic and Systolic Functions of the Left Ventricle

The effects of aging on the diastolic and systolic functions of the left ventricle were studied by echocardiography as follows. (1). Maximum velocity of circumferential fiber lengthening (negative peak Vcf) and shortening (peak Vcf) was assessed by digital M-mode echocardiography in 20 healthy young subjects and 26 healthy elderly subjects. The mean value of negative peak Vcf (-circ/sec) was -3.87±0.85 in the 20's. -4.48±1.14 in the 30's, -3.71±1.21 in the 40's, -2.70±0.90 in the 60's, -2.57±0.64 in the 70's, -2.33±0.77 in the 80's and -2.57±0.65 in the 90's showing significant difference among young and elderly groups (p