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 |