THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PULSE WAVE VELOCITY AND THE LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Objective: Arterial compliance is known to be a factor affecting left ventricular structure and function. Pulse wave velocity(PWV) is a reliable inidicator of arterial compliance. To elucidate the role of the arterial stiffness on the diastolic function of left ventricle, we investigated the relationship between PWV and echocardiographic diastolic parameters in essential hypertension patients. Design and Methods : 31 never treated hypertensive patients and 85 normotensive subjects were analyzed for PWV and transmitral E, A, DT,IVRT, E/A, LA size were measured. Group I was defined by E/A of 0.8 or higher and group II was E/A below 0.8. Results: 1) Age was the only determinant of E(β=-0.20, p=0.03) and DT(β=0.22, p=0.01) in a multiple regression analysis including age, sex, body bass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, relative wall thickness, LV mass index, PWV. 2) Sex(β=0.31, p=0.001) and PWVrt(β=0.18, p=0.04) were independent factors for A. 3) PWVlt(β=0.46, p=0.0001) was the only factor correlated with E/A. 4) LA size was correlated with body weight(β=0.46, p=0.0001) and LV mass index(β=0.22, p=0.008) 5) PWVlt was significantly higher in group II(n=66) than group I(n=50)(1549.9±269.4 vs 1692±348.6, p=0.01). Conclusions: PWV is independent factors affecting A and E/A. It suggest that increased arterial stiffness can adversely affect LV diastolic function in essential hypertension.