Total arterial compliance is a major determinant of peak oxygen uptake.
Total arterial compliance (TAC, defined as dV/dP), is a major component of the arterial system. A decreased TAC increases left ventricular load and has a detrimental effect on coronary perfusion. We sought to assess the influence of TAC on the functional reserve (VO2max). Fourteen patients (mean age 64 +/- 14y) with known or suspected coronary artery disease and eleven controls (34 +/- 5y) underwent supine bicycle exercise echocardiography. Audio Doppler signal output of the echocardiographic machine was digitized with a customized hardware and software interface simultaneously with carotid tonometry and ECG. TAC at rest was calculated by the pulse pressure method (PPM). By step-wise forward multivariate analysis, independent predictors of VO2max were patient versus control status, peak exercise cardiac output and TAC. The described PC-based acquisition system for tonometry and Doppler signals permits the assessment of ventricular function and arterial biomechanics.
de Backer
T L
TL
Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands. t_de_backer@hotmail.com
Carlier
S G
SG
Segers
P
P
Armstrong
G
G
Haluska
B
B
Greenberg
N
N
Marwick
T H
TH
Thomas
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001944:Breath Tests; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D003187:Compliance; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D016683:Supine Position