Table 4.
Cross-sectional areas, distensibility and PWV of the thoracic aorta by gender
|
Parameter |
Total study group |
Female volunteers |
Male volunteers |
P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (n = 71) | (n = 41) | (n = 30) | ||
| Cross-sectional area (mm2) | ||||
| - Ascending aorta |
515.3 ± 186.3 |
516.1 ± 171.4 |
514.0 ± 208.3 |
0.68 |
| - Aortic arch |
376.9 ± 148.5 |
383.0 ± 139.1 |
368.2 ± 163.7 |
0.51 |
| - Aortic isthmus |
257.9 ± 89.5 |
250.4 ± 76.2 |
268.3 ± 105.6 |
0.64 |
| - Descending aorta above the diaphragm |
214.2 ± 75.0 |
213.6 ± 68.9 |
214.9 ± 84.0 |
0.81 |
| Distensibility (10-3 mm Hg-1) | ||||
| - Ascending aorta |
8.9 ± 3.6 |
9.2 ± 3.0 |
8.5 ± 4.2 |
0.11 |
| - Aortic arch |
7.7 ± 3.3 |
8.0 ± 3.3 |
7.2 ± 3.4 |
0.2 |
| - Aortic isthmus |
7.4 ± 2.5 |
7.7 ± 2.3 |
7.0 ± 2.7 |
0.11 |
| - Descending aorta above the diaphragm |
8.3 ± 3.0 |
8.8 ± 3.1 |
7.7 ± 2.7 |
0.1 |
| PWV (m/s) | 3.6 ± 0.7 | 3.5 ± 0.6 | 3.7 ± 0.9 | 0.14 |
Data are expressed as mean and standard deviation. P-values are from the Mann–Whitney-U test.
PWV, pulse wave velocity.