Influence of arterial compliance on presence and extent of ischaemia during stress echocardiography.
OBJECTIVE
To seek an association between total arterial compliance (TAC) and the extent of ischaemia at stress echocardiography.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
Regional cardiac centre.


METHODS
255 consecutive patients (147 men; mean (SD) age 58 (8)) presenting for stress echocardiography for clinical indications were studied. Wall motion score index (WMSI) was calculated and ischaemia was defined by an inducible or worsening wall motion abnormality. Peak WMSI was used to reflect the extent of dysfunction (ischaemia or scar), and DeltaWMSI was indicative of extent of ischaemia. TAC was assessed at rest by simultaneous radial applanation tonometry and pulsed wave Doppler in all patients.


RESULTS
Ischaemia was identified by stress echocardiography in 65 patients (25%). TAC was similar in the groups with negative and positive echocardiograms (1.08 (0.41) v 1.17 (0.51) ml/mm Hg, not significant). However, the extent of dysfunction was associated with TAC independently of age, blood pressure, risk factors, and use of a beta blocker. Moreover, the extent of ischaemia was determined by TAC, risk factors, and use of a beta blocker.


CONCLUSIONS
While traditional cardiovascular risk factors are strong predictors of ischaemia on stress echocardiography, TAC is an independent predictor of the extent of ischaemia.
Haluska
B A
BA
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Matthys
K
K
Fathi
R
R
Rozis
E
E
Carlier
S G
SG
Marwick
T H
TH
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003187:Compliance; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011674:Pulse