EFFECT OF REDUCED ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE ON THE DIASTOLIC FUNCTION OF THE HEART

Background and objective : Reduced arterial compliance is associated w ith age, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. It is unclear if and how reduced arterial compliance affects the diastolic propertie s of the heart. Patient population : We examined 64 normotensive and 2 7 hypertensive individuals, (31 females, 60 males). Their ages ranged from 19 to 78 years (mean 43 +/- 14.7 y). BP ranged from 80/50 to 180/ 110 mmHg. Exclusion criteria were atrial fibrillation, coronary or per ipheral vascular disease, diabetes, aneamia, hypercholesterolaemia, as well as antihypertensive drug therapy. Methods : Diastolic function w as assessed by Doppler measurement of E and A wave velocities of Mitra l flow, E acceleration and deceleration slopes and times. LV mass was calculated from an M- mode echocardiogram. Arterial compliance was ass essed by an automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement. Results : Age and PWV correlated significantly with the mitral E and A waves, t he E acceleration time, E deceleration and E deceleration time. No sig nificant correlations were found between SBP, DBP or LV mass and the p arameters of diastolic function (see table). [GRAPHICS] By multiple st epwise regression, no variable was found to influence the E- accelerat ion significantly. Overall, age and PWV affected the other parameters of diastolic function more than LV mass, or blood pressure levels. Con clusion : Reduced arterial compliance affects the cardiac diastolic fu nctions independently of BP levels, or LV mass. Next to age, it is the most important factor influencing the diastolic properties of the hea rt.