Effect of a Decrease in Aortic Compliance on the Isovolumic Relaxation Period of the Left Ventricle in Man

Abstract

A decrease in aortic compliance can modify the loading sequence to the left ventricular ejection in the elderly. To determine whether a decreased aortic compliance influences the left ventricular relaxation in man, 83 healthy volunteers, aged 34-87 years, were studied. The left ventricular relaxation was characterized by the isovolumic relaxation period (IRP) of the left ventricle. The aortic compliance was characterized by the aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV)