Comparative analysis of echocardiographic parameters between cerebral apoplexy and healthy controls

Aorta eddy is one of the most important parameters of aorta. The incidence of arteriosclerosis can affect the characteristics of eddy current. In this study, we applied trans-esophageal echocardiography to compare aortic vortex parameters between cerebral apoplexy patients (n=102) and normal controls (n=20). Cardiac ultrasound (time resolution=15.4 ± 3.7 milliseconds, 60-80 frames/cardiac cycle) was carried out through esophagus between two groups. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of aorta vortex were performed for the position, form, undulate shape and other parameters. In the control group, irregular-shaped vortexes were observed in the descending aorta position. The vortex of patients with cerebral apoplexy was in the single form, and a majority of them were round and partially merged, etc. In quantitative analysis of the depth of eddy current, the relevant parameters in the control group were significantly higher than those in the cerebral apoplexy group (all P<0.05). The incidence of aortic plaque in the cerebral apoplexy group was 56.4%, significantly higher than 10.9% in the control group (P<0.05). The Vortex Depth (VD) which reflected the main parameters of aortic vortex position in the control group was 0.612 ± 0.171, significantly higher compared with 0.582 ± 0.122 in the cerebral apoplexy (P<0.05). The eddy strength-related parameters of cerebral apoplexy patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. Statistical significances were identified between the cerebral apoplexy and control groups. Trans-esophageal echocardiography can effectively evaluate the form and intensive parameters of aorta vortex.