The Influence of Aging on Pulmonary Arterial Dynamics and Pulmonary Flow Signal Assessed by Transesophageal Echocardiography

To assess the effect of aging on pilmonary arterial distensibility, we analyzed right pulmonary arterial M-mode echogram and main pulmonary arterial flow signal in 45 patients with normal pulmonary arterial pressure and normal left ventricular function by transesophageal echocardiography. The right pulmonary arterial dimension became significantly greater as age became older, associated with significant reduction of pulmonary arterial distensibility and acceleration time of main pulmonary arterial flow. The earlier appearance of the reflection wave resulted from the reduced compliance of pulmonary artery might cause the earlier onset of deceleration of the main pulmonary arterial flow.

Transesophageal

Echocardiography

Pulmonary arterial dynamics

Pulmonary arterial flow

Aging