Left ventricular hypertrophy induced by reduced aortic compliance.
OBJECTIVE
It was the aim of this study to investigate the long- term effects of reduced aortic compliance on cardiovascular hemodynamics and cardiac remodeling.


METHODS
Sixteen swine, divided into 2 groups, a control and a banding group, were instrumented for pressure and flow measurement in the ascending aorta. Teflon prosthesis was wrapped around the aortic arch in order to limit wall compliance in the banding group. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded throughout a 60-day period. After sacrifice, the mean cell surface of the left ventricle was documented.


RESULTS
Banding decreased aortic compliance by 49 +/- 9, 44 +/- 16 and 42 +/- 7% on the 2nd, 30th and 60th postoperative day, respectively (p < 0.05), while systolic pressure increased by 41 +/- 11, 30 +/- 11 and 35 +/- 12% (p < 0.05), and pulse pressure by 86 +/- 27, 76 +/- 21 and 88 +/- 23%, respectively (p < 0.01). Aortic characteristic impedance increased significantly in the banding group. Diastolic pressure, cardiac output and peripheral resistance remained unaltered. The mean left ventricular cell surface area increased significantly in the banding group.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute reduction in aortic compliance results in a significant increase in characteristic and input impedance, a significant decrease in systemic arterial compliance and a subsequent increase in systolic and pulse pressures leading to left ventricular hypertrophy.
Ioannou
Christos V
CV
Division of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece. ioannou@med.uoc.gr
Morel
Denis R
DR
Katsamouris
Asterios N
AN
Katranitsa
Sofia
S
Startchik
Irena
I
Kalangos
Afksentios
A
Westerhof
Nico
N
Stergiopulos
Nikos
N
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003187:Compliance; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology