Table 2 Systolic circumferential strain, aortic distensibility and pulse wave velocity in RA, RA with CVRFs, controls and controls with CVRFs.

Mid SA systolic circumferential strain

-19.2 ± 1.1

-17.6 ± 1.2

-17.26 ± 1.4

-16.9 ± 1.2

<0.001

Peak diastolic strain rate

143.9 ± 19.7

113.6 ± 27.9

101.9 ± 23.5

103.1 ± 20.3

<0.001

Aortic distensibility (10-3mmHg-1) Ascending aorta Proximal descending aorta Distal descending aorta

3.2 ± 1.8

3.7 ± 1.3

5.7 ± 2.0

2.1 ± 1.5

3.1 ± 1.4

4.5 ± 1.5

2.2 ± 1.5

2.7 ± 1.2

4.0 ± 1.5

2.0 ± 1.3

2.1 ± 1.5

3.6 ± 1.7

0.002

<0.001

<0.001

Pulse wave velocity (m/s) Aortic arch PWV Descending aorta PWV Total PWV

4.2 ± 2.6

3.8 ± 1.5

4.4 ± 1.6

6.2 ± 1.9

6.2 ± 1.8

6.7 ± 1.5

6.8 ± 3.1

6.9 ± 2.9

7.7 ± 2.9

7.2 ± 2.2

7.7 ± 2.3

8.3 ± 2.8

<0.001

<0.001

<0.001