Age-dependency of cardiac morphology and function: results of the LIFE-Adult-Study – analysis of the echocardiographic substudy

In the NORRE study (EHJCVI (2014) 15, 680 – 690) normal values determined by echocardiography were published in healthy subjects (n = 734) with mean age of 46+13 years (range: 20 – 78). Left ventricular (LV)-volumes showed good correlations to the participants' (pts') age. LV-volumes were decreased and LV ejection fraction (EF) was increased according to the increase of the pts' age. A significant correlation between age and LV-mass was only found in women. Left atrial (LA)-volumes did not significantly change with age. Parameters of diastolic function showed a strong age-dependency (decrease of E/A-ratio; increase of E/E'-ratio). In the present LIFE-Adult analysis echocardiographic parameters were compared to the NORRE data.

In 773 pts (326 males and 447 females; median age: 51 years), standardised transthoracic echocardiography was performed according to the national and international recommendations. The following parameters were analysed: LV- and LA-volume analyses by M-Mode measurements and 2D-LV planimetry, maximum E-and A-velocity, E/A-ratio and E/E'-ratio. The cohort was divided in age related subcohorts between 20 – 40, 41 – 50 and 51 – 60 years.

Mean LV-diameter was 54 ± 5 mm (males) and 49 ± 4 mm (females). There was no age-dependency in males, but a tendency of LV-diameter increase in females. Mean LA diameter was 39 ± 4 mm in males and 35 ± 4 mm in females. Mean LA-diameter-index was 20 ± 2 mm/m2 (males) and 20 ± 3 mm/m2 (females) showing Age-dependency of an increasing LA-diameter in males and females. LV mass-index was 100 ± 20 g/m2 (males) and 83 ± 19 g/m2 (females) showing a tendency of increasing LV mass-index with age in males and females. Subsequently, septal and posterior wall thickness slightly increases with age. No differences of LVEF with increase of the pts' age could be observed. E/A-ratio was decreased and E/E'-ratio was increased with increase of the pts' age.

The analysis of the echocardiographic parameters of the LIFE-Adult trial showed differences of the age-dependency in comparison to the NORRE data.