[Comparison of two indices of arterial distensibility: temporal apparitions of Korotkoff sounds and pulse wave velocy. A Doppler echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring study].

Arterial distensibility, one of the factors influencing afterload, plays a role in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. The QKd, the delay before the perception of the Korotkoff sounds, is an index of arterial distensibility available from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), another index of arterial distensibility, can be measured by Doppler echocardiography. The aim of this study was to compare these two indices with haemodynamic parameters of arterial distensibility and to determine their relationship to left ventricular geometry and function. Sixty-two consecutive patients, with and without cardiac disease, underwent simultaneous Doppler echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A correlation was observed between QKd and PWV (N = 53, p = 0.007, r = 0.37). The QKd and PWV were correlated to the absolute index of arterial distensibility (systolic index/pulse pressure) (N = 51, p < 0.001, r = 0.48). QKd was correlated with indices of left ventricular function such as EF (N = 55, p < 0.001, r = 0.66) or the systolic pressure/end systolic dimension ratio (N = 54, p < 0.001, r = 0.75). When the ejection time was subtracted from QKd, only the end systolic pressure/end systolic dimension remained significantly correlated (N = 37, p = 0.005, r = 0.40). The authors conclude that PWV and QKd were correlated and were also correlated with indices of arterial distensibility. QKd is a composite index of left ventricular function and arterial distensibility. Doppler echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring provide a non-invasive assessment of the aorta/LV couple.