Fig. 4

Echocardiographic analyses of aortic valve and heart function. Representative M-mode and PW Doppler images of the aortic valve (top) and transmitral flow (bottom) in both (A) WT-control and (B) FSP1⁺/SmoM2⁺ mice are shown. Significant systolic dysfunction is observed in FSP1⁺/SmoM2⁺ mice, as shown by a progressive decline in (C) stroke volume, D ejection fraction, and E cardiac output starting at week 8. F Aortic cusp separation, normalized to aortic root diameter, progressively decreased starting week 8 in FSP1⁺/SmoM2⁺, suggesting a stiffer aortic valve. G An increase in aortic valve outflow velocity, relative to inflow velocity, is consistent with aortic stenosis. H FSP1⁺/SmoM2⁺ mice exhibited E/A ratio inversion, suggesting impaired diastolic relaxation of the left ventricle