The relationship between aortic stiffness and left ventricular function in patients with Cushing's disease

We aimed to investigate the aortic function and to evaluate the relationship between aortic stiffness and systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). Fourteen women and one man with newly diagnosed CD, and 17 control cases were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent echocardiography and systolic and diastolic aortic measurements were noted from M-mode aortic root. Aortic elastic parameters, aortic strain, and distensibility were calculated. Left ventricle functions were measured using echocardiography including, two-dimensional, M-mode, conventional Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging. Aortic strain (7.4 +/- A 1.9 vs. 12.3 +/- A 2.4%; P < 0.001), and aortic distensibility (3.2 +/- A 1.1 x 10(-6) vs. 5.6 +/- A 1.4 x 10(-6) cm(2) dyn(-1); P < 0.001) were significantly decreased in patient group compared with control group. Mitral E velocity and the ratio of E/A were significantly lower and deceleration time of E was significantly prolonged in patients with CD. We also observed that patients with CD had markedly lower early diastolic myocardial peak velocity (Em) and Em/Am ratio and higher Tei index than in control group. Aortic elastic parameters are deranged in patients with CD and there is a significant correlation between left ventricular parameters determined by tissue Doppler echocardiography and aortic elastic parameters in these patients. We think that patients with CD should also be evaluated with aortic stiffness known to be an early marker for atherosclerosis.