P4690Effects of pulmonary artery wedge pressure on right ventricular pulsatile loading in pulmonary hypertension: a reappraisal based on pulmonary arterial isobaric stiffness

• Published in: European heart journal 2019-10, Vol.40 (Supplement_1)
• Main Authors: Chemla, D, Berthelot, E, Weatherald, J, Lau, E, Attal, P, Boulate, D, Montani, D, Jourdain, P, Humbert, M, Assayag, P, Herve, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0195-668X; 1522-9645
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz745.1071

Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with stiffening of pulmonary arteries. Previous studies have suggested that high pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) in postcapillary PH (Pc-PH) further augments PA stiffness at a given level of pulmonary vascular resistance as compared to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, these studies do not take into account differences in distending pressure (mean PA pressure, mPAP), which has an effect on stiffness due to non-linear stress-strain behavior of arteries. Purpose To compare total PA stiffness between Pc-PH and idiopathic PAH (iPAH) studied at similar mPAP (isobaric stiffness). Methods This was an analysis of right heart catheterization results obtained in 112 Pc-PH and 112 iPAH patients extracted from the French PAH network registry and matched for mPAP (median 38 vs 39 mmHg, P=NS), age (70.5 years each) and sex (64% female each). Total PA stiffness was calculated as the ratio of PA pulse pressure to indexed stroke volume. Results Total PA stiffness (n=224) increased with mPAP (Spearman's rho = 0.66) and decreased with PAWP (rho = - 0.17) (each P