Congestive heart failure was associated with elevated central pulsatile load (characteristic impedance) compared to controls (225 vs 184 dyne.sec.cm(-5); P=0.020).
Case-Control (n=68)
Do subjects with congestive heart failure have abnormal central pulsatile load compared to controls?
Subjects with congestive heart failure exhibit elevated central pulsatile load (characteristic impedance) that is not apparent in global measures like augmentation index, representing a potential therapeutic target.
Absolute Event Rate: 225% vs 184%
p-value: p=0.020
Pulse pressure, an indirect measure of vascular stiffness and pulsatile load, predicts clinical events in congestive heart failure (CHF), suggesting that abnormal pulsatile load may contribute to CHF. This study was designed to assess more direct measures of central pulsatile load in CHF. Noninvasive hemodynamic evaluations were performed in 28 subjects with CHF and 40 controls using calibrated tonometry of the brachial, radial, femoral, and carotid arteries along with echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter and Doppler flow. Characteristic impedance (Z(c)) was calculated as the ratio of DeltaP (carotid) and DeltaQ (LVOT flow) in early systole. Carotid-radial (CR-PWV) and carotid-femoral (CF-PWV) pulse wave velocities were calculated from tonometry. Augmentation index was assessed from the carotid waveform. Total arterial compliance (TAC) was calculated using the area method. Brachial pulse pressure was elevated (62+/-16 versus 53+/-15 mm Hg, P=0.015) in CHF because of lower diastolic pressure (66+/-10 versus 73+/-9 mm Hg, P=0.003). CHF had higher Z(c) (225+/-76 versus 184+/-66 dyne. sec. cm(-5), P=0.020). CF-PWV did not differ (9.7+/-2.7 versus 9.2+/-2.0, P=0.337), whereas CR-PWV was lower in CHF (8.6+/-1.4 versus 9.4+/-1.5, P=0.038). There was no difference in TAC (1.4+/-0.5 versus 1.4+/-0.6 mL/mmHg, P=0.685), and augmentation index was lower in CHF (8+/-17 versus 21+/-13%, P=0.001). CHF subjects have elevated central pulsatile load (Z(c)), which is not apparent in global measures such as augmentation index or TAC, possibly because of contrasting changes in central and peripheral conduit vessels. This increased pulsatile load represents an important therapeutic target in CHF.
Mitchell et al. (2001) conducted a case-control in Congestive heart failure (n=68). Congestive heart failure (exposure) vs. Controls was evaluated on Characteristic impedance (Z(c)) (p=0.020). Congestive heart failure was associated with elevated central pulsatile load (characteristic impedance) compared to controls (225 vs 184 dyne.sec.cm(-5); P=0.020).