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Intrafamilial Aggregation and Heritability of Aortic Reflected (Backward) Waves Derived From Wave Separation Analysis
Arnaud T Djami-Tchatchou1, Gavin R Norton1, Andrew Raymond1
1Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
Aortic backward pressure (Pb) and augmented pressure (Pa) show significant heritability and family aggregation, unlike the reflected wave index (RI) or augmentation index (AIx). These findings suggest Pb and Pa are better indicators of inherited aortic wave reflection effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Genetics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Aortic wave reflection, a key hemodynamic phenomenon, may have a genetic basis.
- The heritability and intrafamilial aggregation of specific wave reflection indices, such as reflected (backward) wave index (RI) and backward pressure (Pb), remain uncertain.
- Understanding the heritability of these indices is crucial for assessing their role in cardiovascular health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the intrafamilial aggregation and heritability of aortic backward pressure (Pb) and reflected wave index (RI).
- To compare the heritability of Pb and RI with pressure augmentation indices: augmented pressure (Pa) and augmentation index (AIx).
Main Methods:
- Radial applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software were used to measure aortic Pb, RI, Pa, and AIx in 1,152 participants from 315 families.
- Participants were from an urban, developing community of black Africans, including parent-child and sibling-sibling pairs.
- Heritability estimates were calculated using Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology software.
Main Results:
- Significant parent-child and sibling-sibling correlations were observed for Pb and Pa (P < 0.05), but not for RI or AIx.
- Aortic backward pressure (Pb) demonstrated significant heritability (h2 = 0.24±0.07, P < 0.001).
- Augmented pressure (Pa) also showed significant heritability (h2 = 0.23±0.07, P < 0.001), while RI and AIx did not reach statistical significance for heritability.
Conclusions:
- Aortic backward pressure (Pb) and augmented pressure (Pa) exhibit significant intrafamilial aggregation and heritability, indicating a genetic component.
- The reflected wave index (RI) and augmentation index (AIx) do not show significant heritability in this population.
- Pb and Pa may be more reliable indicators of inherited effects on aortic wave reflection compared to RI and AIx.
