Noninvasive measurement of diameter changes in the distal abdominal aorta in man.

An ultrasound phase-locked, echo-tracking system was used to determine the dynamic properties of the distal abdominal aorta in 10 Caucasian male subjects (mean age, 25 years). Recordings were made at rest and during the blood pressure increase resulting from isometric exercise. The pressure diameter curve was nonlinear with an inflection at about 90-110 mmHg. Above this pressure range, the vessel was stiffer (less compliant), but the pressure diameter relationship was roughly linear above as well as below the inflection. Individual pressure diameter curves showed hysteresis, i.e., the aorta had a smaller diameter during expansion than during retraction at corresponding pressures. The pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta) were at rest [Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), 81 mmHg] 0.70 10(5) N/m2 and 6.0, respectively. During isometric exercise (MAP, 122 mmHg), Ep increased significantly by 91% and stiffness (beta) nonsignificantly by 27%. The variability of the compliance determinations was 5% when the ultrasonic system was combined with intra-arterial blood pressure measurements and less than 7% when combined with auscultatory blood pressure measurements. It is concluded that the phase-locked, echo-tracking system fulfills clinical requirements for routine measurements of vascular compliance.