Left ventricular ejection time: a potential determinant of pulse wave velocity in young, healthy males.
OBJECTIVE
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a classic marker of vascular stiffness. Recent studies showed that heart rate is an important determinant of PWV. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of myocardial function in determining PWV under resting conditions and under adrenergic stimulation.


METHODS
Hemodynamic parameters were investigated under resting conditions in 102 young, healthy males and under stimulation of either beta- or alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in six young, healthy males. PWV was determined from pressure tracing over the carotid and femoral artery. Central hemodynamics were assessed by impedance cardiography and systolic time intervals. Simple (r) and multiple (beta) regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between PWV and hemodynamic parameters.


RESULTS
Under resting conditions, PWV was correlated to age (beta = 0.259, P = 0.0052), diastolic blood pressure (beta = 0.279, P = 0.0072) and left ventricular ejection time (beta = -0.314, P = 0.0277). Under alpha(2)-adrenergic stimulation PWV was only correlated to diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (beta = 0.806, P = 0.0020). Under beta-adrenergic stimulation PWV was only correlated to left ventricular ejection time index (r = -0.52, P = 0.0325).


CONCLUSIONS
Left ventricular ejection time may be an important determinant of pulse wave velocity under resting and adrenergic conditions in young, healthy males. Further studies are needed to evaluate this relationship in other populations including females and patients with cardiovascular disease.
Department of Nephrology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany. jens.nuerenberger@uni-essen.de
Jens
J
Nürnberger
Anabelle
A
Opazo Saez
Sandra
S
Dammer
Anna
A
Mitchell
Rene R
RR
Wenzel
Thomas
T
Philipp
Rafael F
RF
Schäfers
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003971:Diastole; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008771:Nordefrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011674:Pulse; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012146:Rest; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013599:Systole; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008771:Nordefrin