Measurement of aortic arch distension wave with the echo-track technique

The aim of this study was to use the echo-track method for measuring aortic arch diameter, distension waveform and elastic parameters. Data were obtai ned from 50 healthy volunteers of 32 +/- 15 y (mean +/- 1 SD). The aortic a rch was interrogated from the suprasternal position with M-mode ultrasonogr aphy using a 3.5-MHz transducer; diameter and distension waves were determi ned by means of an echo-track algorithm (WTS, Pie Medical); arterial blood pressure was measured in the arm with sphygmomanometry. Aortic arch diamete r, distension, distensibility and compliance were 24.55 +/- 2.99 mm, 2199 /- 726 mum, 3.9 +/- 1.4 10(-3) mmHg(-1) and 1.86 +/- 0.61 mm(2) . mmHg(-1), respectively. Intrasession, interobserver and intersession variability was less than 10%, 10% and 18%, respectively. It is concluded that aortic arch distension wave can be recorded noninvasively with acceptable reproducibil ity, allowing assessment of aortic elastic parameters, and yielding insight into pressure wave reflection within the arterial system. (C) 2000 World F ederation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.