Cardiac MRI analysis - central aortic distensibility and central aortic PWV Analyses of the MRIs were performed using commercial software (Argus version 4.02, Siemens Medical Systems, Germany) by experienced observers who were blinded to patient information. To measure central aortic distensibility, the systolic and diastolic cross-sectional areas were measured by manual contouring of the aorta through the cardiac cycle on the cine image. Distensibility at the four regions was calculated as the mean of values obtained from the following equation: Distensibility = (Amax - Amin)/[Amin × (Pmax - Pmin)](10-3mm/Hg), where Amax is the maximal (systolic) aortic area, Amin is the minimal (diastolic) aortic area, Pmax is the systolic blood pressure (SBP), and Pmin is the diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Central aortic blood pressure measured non-invasively by SphygmoCor was used for systolic and diastolic blood pressure.