Early Wave Reflection and Pulse Wave Velocity Are Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) impacts arterial and diastolic function. This study examined whether arterial properties can determine diastolic function in RA. In 173 RA patients, arterial function measures including carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic and pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplification, and the magnitude and timing of the forward and reflected waves were measured using applanation tonometry. Diastolic function parameters including the ratio of early-to-late transmitral velocity (E/A) and ratio of E to the mean of the lateral and septal wall myocardial tissue lengthening (e') were measured using echocardiography. The timing of the reflected wave was associated with E/A; PWV was related to E/e'. The timing of the reflected wave, forward wave magnitude, and pulse pressure amplification were associated with impaired relaxation; PWV was related to increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. Early wave reflection and PWV are associated with LV-impaired relaxation and increased filling pressure, respectively, in RA.