P39 LEFT VENTRICULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN RELATION TO PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN A GENERAL POPULATION

Background: Central blood pressure (BP) is a predictor of target organ damage. No previous study addressed the question to what extent central compared with peripheral is related to left ventricular (LV) structure and function in a general population. Methods: In 577 Flemish recruited from the general population (47.8% women; mean age 50.5 years), we assessed the multivariable-adjusted associations of echocardiographic LV structure and systolic and diastolic LV function (Vivid7 Pro device; EchoPac software, version 4.0.4; GE Vingmed, Horten, Norway) with peripheral and central pressure, as recorded by radial applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor software, version 9.0). Association sizes were expressed per 15/10 mmHg increment in peripheral or central systolic/diastolic BP. Results: Peripheral compared with central systolic BP was 10.2 mm Hg higher (P < 0.0001), whereas diastolic BP was similar peripherally and centrally (P = 0.50). Associations were closer (P≤0.020) with central than peripheral systolic BP for LV mass (+0.59 g/m2) and left atrial volume (+0.29 ml/m2) indexed to body surface area, peak A transmitral flow (+0.12 cm/s), peak e′ mitral annular movement (−0.18 cm/s) and the E/A ratio (−0.017). Associations were closer (P≤0.038) with central than peripheral diastolic BP for left atrial volume index (+0.289 ml/m2), e′ (−0.123 cm/s) and E/e′ (+0.094). Ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain were similarly associated with central and peripheral systolic (P≥0.62) and diastolic (P≥0.18) BP. Conclusions: In asymptomatic people recruited from the general population, LV mass and atrial volume indexes and selected haemodynamic measurements reflecting diastolic LV function are slightly but significantly closer associated with central than peripheral BP.