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Arterial wave reflection and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Cesare Russo1, Zhezhen Jin, Yasuyoshi Takei

  • 1Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Journal of Hypertension
|December 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Increased arterial wave reflection is linked to reduced subclinical left-ventricular (LV) systolic function in individuals without heart failure. This association was observed using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and aortic augmentation index (AIx).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Arterial Hemodynamics
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Increased arterial wave reflection is a known cardiovascular event predictor.
  • Arterial wave reflection's role in heart failure pathophysiology is hypothesized.
  • The association between wave reflection and left-ventricular (LV) systolic function in individuals without heart failure is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between arterial wave reflection and LV systolic function in individuals without heart failure.
  • To determine if increased wave reflection is inversely associated with LV systolic function in a healthy cohort.

Main Methods:

  • 301 participants from the Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions (CABL) study were analyzed.
  • Arterial wave reflection was assessed using aortic augmentation index (AIx) and wasted energy index (WEi).
  • LV systolic function was measured by LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters like mitral annulus peak systolic velocity (Sm).

Main Results:

  • LV systolic function assessed by TDI was lower with increasing wave reflection.
  • Left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) did not show a significant association with wave reflection.
  • Multivariate analysis revealed significant inverse correlations between TDI parameters of LV longitudinal systolic function and AIx/WEi.

Conclusions:

  • Increased arterial wave reflection is associated with subclinical reduction in LV systolic function in individuals without heart failure and normal LVEF.
  • Novel tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) techniques revealed this association.
  • Further research is needed to explore the prognostic implications of this relationship.
Abstract

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