Assessment of conduit and central arteries status in patients with heart failure

Abstract

The assessment of conduit and central arteries properties provides an important information for risk stratification and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Some characteristics of arterial wall status seem to be an attractive therapeutic target in different conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the status of conduit arteries in patients with heart failure with oscillometric technique. In 60 patients (31 male, 52 hypertensive, mean age 70,6±8,0 years, BP 140,6±28,6/84,9±13,9 mmHg) with heart failure NYHA class II-IV pulse wave velocity (PWV), cardio-vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured with vascular screening system VS 1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Japan). Cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new index independent from blood pressure level and thus its changes during drug therapy might reflect changes of arteries wall properties regardless BP. The VS 1000 provides BP and plethysmograms measurements on four limbs and simultaneous registration of phono- and electrocardiograms. Spearmen analysis was used to evaluate correlation between vascular characteristics and age, NYHA class, serum cholesterol, glucose, creatinine levels. The data are shown as Mean±SD. In patients with heart failure PWV was 16,1±5,9 m/s (evaluated upper normal range 13,5 m/s), ABI 1,0±0,2, CAVI 9,9±1,3. ABI > 1,3 (noncompressible arteries) was observed in 1 patient, in 14 (23,3%) patients ABI was in the range 0,41–0,90 (mild-to-moderate peripheral arteries disease). The significant correlation was revealed between PWV and age (r=0,33), PWV and systolic BP(r=0,53). Negative significant correlation between CAVI and NYHA class was found (r=-0,41). For CAVI and ABI no correlation with BP, serum cholesterol, glucose and creatinine was revealed. VS 1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Japan) provides rather quick and easily implemented assessment of important indexes of arteries status. The results obtained suggest that drug intervention for correction of arterial wall properties might be beneficial in patients with heart failure.