Central aortic pressure parameters in patients with ischemic chronic heart failure

Aim. To evaluate the parameters of central aortic pressure in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic aetiology. Material and methods . The study included 89 patients with ischemic CHF, aged from 41 to 73 years (mean age 56,1±0,8 years), and 15 controls, aged 39–56 years (mean age 49,4±1,5 years) without overt cardiovascular disease. All participants underwent the measurement of central aortic pressure (applanation tonometry, SphygmoCor) and the echocardiographic assessment of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function (ACUSON). Results. An accurate interpretation of central aortic pressure parameters in patients with ischemic CHF requires taking into account the baseline levels of blood pressure (BP). In these patients, the complex assessment of all measured parameters is preferable (by contrast, in patients with arterial hypertension, the main parameter of interest is typically augmentation index). Conclusion. The investigation of central aortic pressure parameters in patients with ischemic CHF provides an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of both peripheral and central pulse waves, for the measurement of central BP levels, for the identification of the BP-modifying factors (augmentation and amplification), and for the selection of a pathogenesis-based therapy.