Interaction between pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, pulse pressure and left ventricular function in chronic heart failure.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), the carotid augmentation index (AIx), and pulse pressure (PP) may be prognostic factors in heart failure, but the possible influence of the ejection fraction (EF) and other simple haemodynamic variables on them has not been investigated in this setting. Noninvasive methods were used to measure carotid-radial (CR), carotid-femoral (CF) PWV and AIx, and brachial PP, in 135 consecutive patients with stable symptomatic chronic heart failure. The patients were divided into two groups, with preserved (>or=40%) or reduced (<40%) EF. CF-PWV, AIx and PP were lower in the decreased EF group (8.85+/-2.77 versus 10.60+/-2.75 m/s, P<0.001; 121+/-21 versus 132+/-24, P=0.009 and 41+/-19 versus 67+/-17 mmHg, P<0.001), but CR-PWV values were similar regardless of the EF status. These results were not modified after adjustment for age and sex. Multiple regression analysis showed that AIx and PP were systematically related to time domain parameters (heart rate or ejection duration) and EF, whatever the group. CF-PWV was weakly related to time domain values and unrelated to mean blood pressure (BP) or EF in the preserved EF group, whereas it was related to both mean BP and EF in the low EF group. In conclusion, whatever the EF level, PP and AIx were strongly modulated in the time domain, by pressure and by the EF level. The same relationships were found with CF-PWV, but only in the reduced EF group. Whether CF-PWV is the best prognostic factor in patients with 'diastolic' heart failure must be confirmed in a prospective study.