Normal Values of Echocardiographic Parameters in Relation to Age in a Healthy Japanese Population The JAMP Study

TLDR

Normal values for echocardiographic measurements and their relationship with age in a large Japanese population are still unknown. The study examined 700 healthy Japanese adults aged 20–79 using 2‑dimensional and Doppler echocardiography at multiple institutions. Mean septal and posterior wall thicknesses were 0.9 cm (men) and 0.8 cm (women); LV diastolic diameters 4.8 cm (men) and 4.4 cm (women); LV systolic diameters 3.0 cm (men) and 2.8 cm (women); LV diastolic volumes 93 ml (men) and 74 ml (women); LV systolic volumes 33 ml (men) and 25 ml (women); LV ejection fractions 64 % (men) and 66 % (women); and maximum LA volumes 42 ml (men) and 38 ml (women); aortic root diameter, LV wall thickness, and LV mass increased slightly with age, indexed LA volume did not vary, and diastolic parameters declined with age. Published in Circ J 2008; 72:1859‑1866.

Abstract

Background Normal values for echocardiographic measurements and the relationship between these parameters and age in a large Japanese population are still unknown. Methods and Results A total of 700 healthy Japanese aged 20-79 years underwent 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography at collaborating institutions. The respective mean values obtained in men and women were as follows: septal wall thickness, 0.9±0.1 and 0.8±0.1 cm; posterior wall thickness, 0.9±0.1 and 0.8±0.1 cm; left ventricular (LV) diastolic diameter, 4.8±0.4 and 4.4±0.3 cm; LV systolic diameter, 3.0±0.4 and 2.8±0.3 cm; LV diastolic volume, 93±20 and 74±17 ml; LV systolic volume, 33±20 and 25±7 ml; LV ejection fraction, 64±5 and 66±5%; maximum left atrial (LA) volume, 42±14 and 38±12 ml. Aortic root diameter, LV wall thickness, and LV mass slightly increased with age, whereas indexed LA volume did not vary with age. Diastolic parameters assessed by mitral inflow and mitral annular velocities declined with age, as previously reported. Conclusions Normal values of echocardiographic measurements in a large Japanese population are reported for the first time; several systolic and diastolic parameters varied with age. These results provide important reference values that should be useful in routine clinical practice as well as in clinical trials. (Circ J 2008; 72: 1859 - 1866)