Echocardiographic assessment of aortic pulse wave velocity as a new diagnostic parameter for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: The association between increased arterial stiffness and Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) has been well characterized, suggesting a close interaction between the arterial system and the left ventricle. Aortic pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of aortic stiffness, and it has an established prognostic role in cardiovascular diseases and in the general population. Aim: Evaluation of aortic PWV assessed by echocardiography as a new diagnostic parameter for LV DD by correlation with current echocardiographic LV DD indices, and also evaluation of aortic PWV prognostic value in patients with DD by correlation with Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).