Central aortic stiffness in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: relationship with neurohumoral activation.
BACKGROUND
Increased aortic stiffness has been found in heart failure (HF), but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between aortic stiffness and neurohumoral activation in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDC).


RESULTS
We examined 101 patients with NIDC, New York Heart Association Class II-III, LVEF 33.3 +/- 11.6%, and 33 controls. All subjects underwent blood sampling for plasma concentrations of renin, aldosterone, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). We evaluated the pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the proximal aorta in the region of the aortic arch with a new echo application. Patients showed increased PWV (P < .001), and increased plasma levels of log-renin (P < .001), log-aldosterone (P = .01), CRP (P = .01), and log-BNP (P = .01) compared with controls. PWV was correlated with log-BNP (r = 0.63, P < .001) and log-aldosterone (r = 0.34, P < .001) levels, with LV end-diastolic (r = 0.27, P = .01) and end-systolic (r = 0.33, P = 0.003) volumes, and the PW-tissue Doppler imaging systolic wave (r = -0.27, P = .006) and the E/e' ratio (r = 0.45, P < .001). Linear regression analysis showed that log-BNP levels were independently associated with PWV.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with HF from NIDC, there is evidence of increased aortic stiffness that is correlated with LV shape and function. Although aldosterone levels seem to influence the aortic PWV, BNP levels are the best independent predictor of increased PWV.
Patrianakos
Alexandros P
AP
Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital, Crete, Greece. apatrianakos@yahoo.gr
Parthenakis
Fragiskos I
FI
Nyktari
Eva
E
Malliaraki
N
N
Karakitsos
Dimitrios N
DN
Vardas
Panos E
PE
D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents