Estimation of echocardiographic cardiac function using pulse waveform analysis derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Background Noninvasive assessment of cardiac function is useful in the management of heart failure (HF). Objectives We developed a novel pulse waveform index, ‘Sf/Am’, from cuff-oscillometric ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM), to estimate cardiac function. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of square forward pulse wave/amplitude measure pulse wave (Sf/Am), which reflects cardiac systolic function in ambulatory settings, for estimating echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with HF. Methods A cuff volumetric waveform was obtained from the diastolic phase of each BP measurement with a multisensor-ABPM (TM-2441, A&D). The area of the ejection is the Sf. Sf is divided by the Am, that is, Sf/Am, to eliminate the effects of arterial and cuff compliance. This index was hypothesized to represent left ventricular systolic function. LVEF was determined using the modified Simpson’s method. Results A total of 195 participants with HF completed ABPM and echocardiogram. After excluding 76 participants with atrial fibrillation, 119 participants (mean age, 70.0 ± 15.9 years; 58.8% male) were included in the analysis. Sf/Am was correlated with LVEF ( r = 0.550, P < 0.001). This relationship remained significant in a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for BP level and other confounders (β = 0.603, P < 0.001). The area under the curve values 95% confidence interval (CI) for Sf/Am in predicting LVEF < 40% and <30% were 0.814 (0.738–0.890) and 0.897 (0.840–0.953), respectively. Conclusion Pulse waveform analysis using ABPM has potential for noninvasive estimation of echocardiographic LVEF.