1
|
Normal Values of Aortic Root Size According to Age, Sex, and Race: Results of the World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography Study. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2022; 35:267-274. [PMID: 34619294 PMCID: PMC9111967 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate measurements of the aortic annulus and root are important for guiding therapeutic decisions regarding the need for aortic surgery. Current echocardiographic guidelines for identification of aortic root dilatation are limited because current normative values were derived predominantly from white individuals in narrow age ranges, and based partially on M-mode measurements. Using data from the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography study, the authors sought to establish normal ranges of aortic dimensions across sexes, races, and a wide range of ages. METHODS Adult individuals free of heart, lung, and kidney disease were prospectively enrolled from 15 countries, with even distributions among sexes and age groups: young (18-40 years), middle aged (41-65 years) and old (>65 years). Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiograms of 1,585 subjects (mean age, 47 ± 17 years; 50.4% men; mean body surface area [BSA], 1.77 ± 0.22 m2) were analyzed in a core laboratory following American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Measurements, indexed separately by BSA and by height, included the aortic annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, and sinotubular junction. Differences among age, sex, and racial groups were evaluated using unpaired two-tailed Student's t tests. RESULTS All aortic root dimensions were larger in men compared with women. After indexing to BSA, all measured dimensions were significantly larger in women, whereas men continued to show larger dimensions after indexing to height. Of note, the upper limits of normal for all aortic dimensions were lower across all age groups, compared with the guidelines. Aortic dimensions were larger in older age groups in both sexes, a trend that persisted regardless of BSA or height adjustment. Last, differences in aortic dimensions were also observed according to race: Asians had the smallest nonindexed aortic dimensions at all levels. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in aortic dimensions according to sex, age, and race. Thus, current guideline-recommended normal ranges may need to be adjusted to account for these differences.
Collapse
|
2
|
Harkness A, Ring L, Augustine DX, Oxborough D, Robinson S, Sharma V. Normal reference intervals for cardiac dimensions and function for use in echocardiographic practice: a guideline from the British Society of Echocardiography. Echo Res Pract 2020; 7:X1. [PMID: 32105051 PMCID: PMC7040881 DOI: 10.1530/erp-19-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This guideline presents reference limits for use in echocardiographic practice, updating previous guidance from the British Society of Echocardiography. The rationale for change is discussed, in addition to how the reference intervals were defined and the current limitations to their use. The importance of interpretation of echocardiographic parameters within the clinical context is explored, as is grading of abnormality. Each of the following echo parameters are discussed and updated in turn: left ventricular linear dimensions and LV mass; left ventricular volumes; left ventricular ejection fraction; left atrial size; right heart parameters; aortic dimensions; and tissue Doppler imaging. There are several important conceptual changes to the assessment of the heart’s structure and function within this guideline. New terminology for left ventricular function and left atrial size are introduced. The British Society of Echocardiography has advocated a new approach to the assessment of the aortic root, the right heart, and clarified the optimal methodology for assessment of LA size. The British Society of Echocardiography has emphasized a preference to use, where feasible, indexed measures over absolute values for any chamber size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allan Harkness
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, UK
| | - Liam Ring
- West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St Edmunds, UK
| | | | - David Oxborough
- Liverpool John Moores University, Research Institute for Sports and Exercise Science, Liverpool, UK
| | - Shaun Robinson
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough, UK
| | - Vishal Sharma
- Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bons LR, Rueda-Ochoa OL, El Ghoul K, Rohde S, Budde RPJ, Leening MJG, Vernooij MW, Franco OH, van der Lugt A, Roos-Hesselink JW, Kavousi M, Bos D. Sex-specific distributions and determinants of thoracic aortic diameters in the elderly. Heart 2019; 106:133-139. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo provide population-based distributions of thoracic aortic diameters in men and women aged 55 years or older and to identify determinants of thoracic aortic diameters.MethodsFrom 2003 to 2006, 2505 participants (1208 men, mean age 69.1±6.8 years) from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study underwent non-enhanced cardiac CT. The diameter of the ascending (AA) and descending aorta (DA) was measured at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation.ResultsThe mean diameter of the ascending and descending aorta was substantially larger in men (38±4 mm and 30±2 mm) than in women (35±3 mm and 27±2 mm). An ascending aortic diameter of larger than 40 mm was found in 228 (18.9%) men and 76 (5.9%) women and a descending aortic diameter larger than 40 mm was found in two men and no women. Male sex was found to be independently associated with larger DA diameter (standardised β 0.24, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.30), while a statistically non-significant trend was found for the AA diameter (standardised β 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.12). Age, height, weight and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were also associated with larger AA and/or DA diameters. Diabetes was associated with smaller AA and DA diameters. We found no evidence for effect modification by sex.ConclusionsIn persons aged 55 years or older, an ascending aortic diameter of 40 mm or larger was found in 18.9% of men and 5.9% of women. Given the importance of sex, sex-specific distribution values may prove useful in clinical practice, even when correcting for body surface area or height.
Collapse
|
4
|
Cantinotti M, Koestenberger M, Santoro G, Assanta N, Franchi E, Paterni M, Iervasi G, D'Andrea A, D'Ascenzi F, Giordano R, Galderisi M. Normal basic 2D echocardiographic values to screen and follow up the athlete's heart from juniors to adults: What is known and what is missing. A critical review. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 27:1294-1306. [PMID: 31266355 DOI: 10.1177/2047487319862060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, multiple echocardiographic nomograms have been published. However, normal values calculated in the general population are not applicable to athletes, whose hearts may be enlarged and hypercontractile. Accordingly, athletes require specific nomograms. Our aim is to provide a critical review of echocardiographic nomograms on two-dimensional (2D) measures for athletes. We performed a systematic search in the National Library of Medicine for Medical Subject Headings and free text terms including echocardiography, athletes, normal values and nomograms. The search was refined by adding the keywords heart, sport, elite, master, children and young. Twenty-eight studies were selected for the final analysis. Our research revealed that currently available ranges of normality for athletes reported by different authors are quite consistent, with limited exceptions (e.g. atria, aorta). Numerical and methodological limitations, however, emerged. Numerical limitations included a limited sample size (e.g. < 450 subjects) of the population assessed and the paucity of data in women, non-Caucasian athletes, and junior and master athletes. Some data on M-mode measurements are available, while those for some specific structures (e.g. left atrial (LA) area and volumes, right ventricular diameters and aorta) are limited or rare (e.g. LA area). There was heterogeneity in data normalization (by gender, sport type and ethnicity) and their expression was limited to mean values (Z-scores have rarely been employed), while variability analysis was often lacking or incomplete. We conclude that comprehensive nomograms using an appropriate sample size, evaluating a complete dataset of 2D (and three-dimensional) measures and built using a rigorous statistical approach are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cantinotti
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Martin Koestenberger
- Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Medical University Graz, Austria.,European Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network, Berlin, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Santoro
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
| | - Nadia Assanta
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
| | - Eliana Franchi
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonello D'Andrea
- Division of Cardiology, Umberto I' Hospital Nocera Inferiore (Salerno), Luigi Vanvitelli University, Caserta, Italy
| | - Flavio D'Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Raffaele Giordano
- Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Maurizio Galderisi
- Cardiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bons LR, Duijnhouwer AL, Boccalini S, van den Hoven AT, van der Vlugt MJ, Chelu RG, McGhie JS, Kardys I, van den Bosch AE, Siebelink HMJ, Nieman K, Hirsch A, Broberg CS, Budde RPJ, Roos-Hesselink JW. Intermodality variation of aortic dimensions: How, where and when to measure the ascending aorta. Int J Cardiol 2018; 276:230-235. [PMID: 30213599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No established reference-standard technique is available for ascending aortic diameter measurements. The aim of this study was to determine agreement between modalities and techniques. METHODS In patients with aortic pathology transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were performed. Aortic diameters were measured at the sinus of Valsalva (SoV), sinotubular junction (STJ) and tubular ascending aorta (TAA) during mid-systole and end-diastole. In echocardiography both the inner edge-to-inner edge (I-I edge) and leading edge-to‑leading edge (L-L edge) methods were applied, and the length of the aortic annulus to the most cranial visible part of the ascending aorta was measured. In CTA and MRA the I-I method was used. RESULTS Fifty patients with bicuspid aortic valve (36 ± 13 years, 26% female) and 50 Turner patients (35 ± 13 years) were included. Comparison of all aortic measurements showed a mean difference of 5.4 ± 2.7 mm for the SoV, 5.1 ± 2.0 mm for the STJ and 4.8 ± 2.1 mm for the TAA. The maximum difference was 18 mm. The best agreement was found between echocardiography L-L edge and CTA during mid-systole. CTA and MRA showed good agreement. A mean difference of 1.5 ± 1.3 mm and 1.8 ± 1.5 mm was demonstrated at the level of the STJ and TAA comparing mid-systolic with end-diastolic diameters. The visible length of the aorta increased on average 5.3 ± 5.1 mmW during mid-systole. CONCLUSIONS MRA and CTA showed best agreement with L-L edge method by echocardiography. In individual patients large differences in ascending aortic diameter were demonstrated, warranting measurement standardization. The use of CTA or MRA is advised at least once.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia R Bons
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sara Boccalini
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Raluca G Chelu
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jackie S McGhie
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Isabella Kardys
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Koen Nieman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Cardiovascular medicine and Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Hirsch
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Craig S Broberg
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ricardo P J Budde
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cantinotti M, Giordano R, Paterni M, Saura D, Scalese M, Franchi E, Assanta N, Koestenberg M, Dulgheru R, Sugimoto T, Bernard A, Caballero L, Lancellotti P. Adult echocardiographic nomograms: overview, critical review and creation of a software for automatic, fast and easy calculation of normal values. J Thorac Dis 2017; 9:5404-5422. [PMID: 29312752 PMCID: PMC5757044 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.11.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a crescent interest on normal adult echocardiographic values and the introduction of new deformation imaging and 3D parameters pose the issue of normative data. A multitude of nomograms has been recently published, however data are often fragmentary, difficult to find, and their strengths/limitations have been never evaluated. AIMS (I) to provide a review of current echocardiographic nomograms; (II) to generate a tool for easy and fast access to these data. A literature search was conducted accessing the National Library of Medicine using the keywords: 2D/3D echocardiography, strain, left/right ventricle, atrial, mitral/tricuspid valve, aorta, reference values/nomograms/normal values. Adding the following keywords, the results were further refined: range/intervals, myocardial velocity, strain rate and speckle tracking. Forty one published studies were included. Our study reveals that for several of 2D/3D parameters sufficient normative data exist, however, a few limitations still persist. For some basic parameters (i.e., mitral/tricuspid/pulmonary valves, great vessels) and for 3D valves data are scarce. There is a lack of studies evaluating ethnic differences. Data have been generally expressed as mean values normalised for gender and age instead of computing models incorporating different variables (age/gender/body sizes) to calculate z scores. To summarize results a software (Echocardio-Normal Values) who automatically calculate range of normality for a broad range of echocardiographic measurements according to age/gender/weight/height, has been generated. We provide an up-to-date and critical review of strengths/limitation of current adult echocardiographic nomograms. Furthermore we generated a software for automatic, easy and fast access to multiple echocardiographic normative data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cantinotti
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Giordano
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Saura
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Eliana Franchi
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
| | - Nadia Assanta
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Massa and Pisa, Italy
| | - Martin Koestenberg
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Raluca Dulgheru
- University of Liège hospital, GIGA Cardiovascular Science, Heart Valve Clinic, Imaging Cardiology, Liège, Belgium
| | - Tadafumi Sugimoto
- Department of University Cardiology, University of Milano School of Medicine, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Anne Bernard
- CHU Tours, France et Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Luis Caballero
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Patrizio Lancellotti
- Department of Cardiology, Cardio-Oncology Clinic, University of Liège Hospital, GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium
- Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|