Evaluation of ventricular-arterial coupling by impedance cardiography in healthy volunteers

• Published in: Physiological measurement 2019-12, Vol.40 (11), p.115002-115002
• Main Authors: Olano, Ricardo D, Espeche, Walter G, Salazar, Martin R, Forcada, Pedro, Chirinos, Julio A, de Iraola, Ana, Sisnieguez, Carlos E Leiva, Sisnieguez, Betty C Leiva, Balbín, Eduardo, Carbajal, Horacio A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cardiovascular efficiency; impedance cardiography; ventricular-arterial coupling
• ISSN: 0967-3334; 1361-6579; 1361-6579
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ab5172

Background: The interplay between cardiac function and the arterial system is currently defined as ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) and it is an expression of global cardiovascular efficiency. VAC involves a variety of complex interactions between the heart and the vasculature. A basic index of VAC is the ratio of effective arterial elastance (Ea)/ end-systolic elastance (Ees). While this is often done with echocardiography, obtaining Ea/Ees using impedance cardiography is feasible, although this possibility has not been explored so far. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the Ea/Ees values obtained using echocardiography and impedance cardiography. Approach: Two independent operators estimated Ea/Ees in 91 (41  ±  14 years old, women 51%) untreated apparently healthy individuals using (1) Doppler echocardiography with the single-beat method developed by Chen et al (2001 J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 38 2028-34); and (2) data provided by impedance cardiography. The differences between Ea/Ees values were compared and correlation between both methods was estimated. Main results: Although Ea and Ees values calculated by impedance cardiography were lower than those estimated by echocardiography (−0.201  ±  0.457 mmHg ml−1 and  −0.193  ±  0.413 mmHg ml−1), Ea/Ees ratio values were similar. Thus, there was no significant difference between the mean values of Ea/Ees estimated by impedance cardiography or echocardiography (Ea/Ees impedance cardiography  −  Ea/Ees echocardiography  =  −0.015  ±  0.096, p   =  0.150). Ea/Ees values calculated by both methods were highly correlated (r  =  0.85, p