Associations of pulse pressure index with left ventricular filling pressure and diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have poor vascular compliance and poor left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The pulse pressure index (PPI) defined as ((systolic blood pressure - diastolic blood pressure)/systolic blood pressure) reflects vascular compliance. Vascular compliance is reportedly associated with left ventricular diastolic function. This study of CKD patients investigated whether PPI correlates with the ratio of transmitral E wave velocity (E) to early diastole mitral annulus velocity (Ea) or with LVDD.

METHODS

This study enrolled 511 CKD patients who had been referred for echocardiographic examination. Blood pressure was automatically measured with an ABI-form device. The LVDD was defined as E-to-transmitral A wave velocity ratio of ≥0.9, Ea <8 cm/s, or E/Ea ≥15.

RESULTS

Compared with those with E/Ea <15, patients with E/Ea ≥15 had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and PPI (all P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that PPI was independently associated with E/Ea (unstandardized coefficient β = 1.348; P < 0.001) and with LVDD (odds ratio = 1.441 per 0.064 increase; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that increased PPI significantly correlates with elevated E/Ea and LVDD in CKD patients. Because PPI can be rapidly acquired during blood pressure measurement, it may be helpful for identifying CKD patients with a high left ventricular filling pressure and LVDD.