The Relationship between the Pulse Wave Velocity(PWV) and the Left Ventricular Geometry: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Arterial compliance is a well-known factor affecting the left ventricular structure and function. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a reliable indicator of arterial compliance. To elucidate the role of arterial stiffness on the geometric adaptation of LV, the relationship between the pulse wave velocity and geometric patterns of the LV were investigated in subject living in a rural area of Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and echocardiographic indices, i.e. left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), were measured in 217 (59 hypertensive, 158 normotensive, and age of 57.7+/-12.8 (21-86)) subjects. The relationship between the baPWV and RWT was analyzed according to the presence of LVH, which was defined by >52.0 g/m2.7. Group I was defined as having a RWT0.35. RESULTS: In a multiple regression model for the relative wall thickness, the stroke volume (beta=-0.261), PWVright (beta=0.177), total peripheral resistance (beta=0.227), abdominal circumference (beta=0.317) and body mass index (beta=-0.214) were found to be independent determinants (R2=0.265, SEE=0.043, constant=0.258+/-0.043, p=0.0001). In subjects without LVH, those in group II (n=42) were older (59.3+/-13.4 vs. 52.0+/-13.0, p=0.005) and had a higher meanPWV (1590.7+/-407.3 vs. 1711.3+/-407.3 cm/sec, p=0.02) than those in group I (n=65). In subjects with LVH, those in group II (n=66) were older (62.5+/-10.9 vs. 57.5+/-11.4, p=0.03) and had a higher meanPWV (1623.7+/-385.3 vs. 1488.5+/-266.3 cm/sec, p=0.03) than those in group I (n=44). In group II, the total peripheral resistance was higher (1858.7+/-447.7 vs. 1608.0+/-347.4 dynes-sec-cm-5, p=0.0001) and the stroke volume lower (67.0+/-14.2 vs. 79.4+/-15.7 ml, p=0.0001) than in group I. CONCLUSION: Pulse wave velocity is independently associated with the concentric geometry of the left ventricle in the rural Korean population used in this study.