AIM Although the diastolic flow reversal of the descending aorta has been recognized in patients with aortic regurgitation, its generation without this condition is still unknown. This study was performed to investigate whether flow patterns of the descending thoracic aorta, as measured by echocardiography, can represent invasively measured aortic pulse pressure (APP).

METHODS A total of 100 patients (age, 62.3±11.0 years; men, 62.0%) undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was analyzed. APP was measured at ascending thoracic aorta using pigtail catheter before ICA. Flow in the descending thoracic aorta was assessed using pulse wave Doppler echocardiography, and R/F ratio was defined as reverse peak velocity (R)/forward peak velocity (F).

RESULTS Eighty patients (80.0%) had obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (≥50% stenosis of one or more epicardial coronary arteries) in ICA. APP and R/F ratio were significantly higher in patients with obstructive CAD than those without (P<.05 for each). Both R/F ratio (β=0.379, P<.001) and APP (β=0.255, P<.001) were positively correlated with age. In simple linear regression analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between R/F ratio and APP (β=0.266, P<.001). This correlation remained significant even after controlling for potential confounders including age, gender, E/e', and left atrial volume index in multiple linear regression analysis (β=0.193, P=.036).

CONCLUSIONS R/F ratio may be independently associated with APP in patients undergoing ICA.