Prevalence of echocardiographic arnormalities in 554 older men and 1,243 older women

Purpose: A prospective study investigated the prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities in older men and women. Methods: Technically adequate M-mode, 2-dimensional, continuous-wave Doppler, and pulsed Doppler echocardiograms were obtained in 554 men, mean age 80±8 years, and in 1,243 women, mean age 82±8 years. Results: Rheumatic mitral stenosis occurred in 0.4% of men and 2% of women (p=0.034). Mitral annular calcium occurred in 35% of men and 53% of women (p<0.0001). Aortic stenosis occurred in 14% of men and 18% of women, p not significant (NS). Mitral regurgitation occurred in 32% of men and 33% of women (p NS). Aortic regurgitation occurred in 31% of men and 28% of women (p NS). Abnormal LV ejection fraction occurred in 29% of men and 21% of women (p=0.0006). LV hypertrophy occurred in 41% of men and 43% of women (p NS). Left atrial enlargement occurred in 29% of men and 37% of women (p=0.001). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurred in 3% of men and 4% of women (p NS). Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in 1% of men and 1% of women (p NS). Conclusions: 1) Older women have a higher prevalence of rheumatic mitral stenosis, mitral annular calcium, and left atrial enlargement; 2) older men have a higher prevalence of abnormal LV ejection fraction; and 3) older men and women have a similar prevalence of aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, LV hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinical Implications: Older men and women have a high prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities.