Stiffness parameter β:changes with age in normal children

Abstract

In this study. we calculated the stiffness parameter p of the common carotid artery in children using the radio frequency (RF)echo tracking method. The subjects in this study included 84 patients who underwent cardiac ultrasonography. All had normal cardiac function and no cardiac load. Stiffness parameter was calculated using the following formula: = ln (Ps/Pd)/[(Ds-Dd)/Dd], where Pd and Dd are the end-diastolic pressure and diameter. and Ps and Ds are the end-systolic pressure and diameter, respectively. Parameterβincreased with age (r = 0.58, P<0.0001). Our results demonstrated that arterial stiffness increases with age in childhood. This study provides important information on the reference βvalues in childhood.