Evaluation of arterial stiffness in systolic heart failure

Abstract Objective : Micro- and macrovascular changes can occur in heart failure, could influence its prognosis management. In a prospective study, we proposed the evaluation of arterial stiffness (macrovascular function) correlations patients with systolic failure. Methods 40 (32 men, 8 women, mean age 63±2.9 years), hemodynamically stable failure (left ventricular ejection fraction, EF<40%) were enrolled study. every patient, beyond routine explorations (ECG, cardiac carotid ultrasound, laboratory measurements), was assessed by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV). The PWV clinical echo-cardiographic characteristics studied using t-test chi-square test (p<0.05 being considered for statistical significance). Results average 8.55±2.2 m/s, 16 had increased (>10 m/s). We found significantly higher values older than 65 years (p<0.001), eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 hypertension (p=0.006), (>1 mm) intima-media thickness (p=0.016). to be lower when EF <30% (p=0.049). Furthermore, presence an correlated (with borderline significance) and, inversely, EF<30%. Conclusions Increased reflected high is frequently present mainly general risk factors involvement. Low EF, due low stroke volume decreased wall tension interpretation PWV.