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Published on: December 2, 2014

Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease

Satoru Sakuragi1, Jun Iwasaki, Naoto Tokunaga

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Tottori Municipal Hospital, Tottori, Japan. s-sakura@sc4.so-net.ne.jp

Cardiology
|December 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Aortic stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is elevated in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Increased baPWV correlates with reduced left ventricular systolic function in CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Aortic stiffness is a significant factor in coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • The impact of aortic stiffness on left ventricular systolic function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as an index of aortic stiffness in patients with and without CAD.
  • To assess the relationship between baPWV and left ventricular systolic function in patients with CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Measured baPWV in 170 CAD patients and 81 non-CAD controls.
  • Analyzed correlations between baPWV, CAD severity (vessel disease), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Main Results:

  • baPWV was significantly higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group (1,794 vs. 1,469 cm/s).
  • Higher baPWV was observed in CAD patients with three-vessel disease versus one-vessel disease.
  • baPWV and pulse pressure independently correlated with LVEF in CAD patients.

Conclusions:

  • baPWV, a marker of aortic stiffness, increases with CAD severity.
  • Aortic stiffness, as indicated by baPWV, correlates with left ventricular systolic function independently of CAD severity.

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