OBJECTIVE Data on ventricular-arterial coupling using invasive hemodynamic studies are limited. This study was performed to clarify the interaction between aortic pressures and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) using invasive catheterization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 104 consecutive stable patients (mean age, 65.8 ± 10.0 years; 56% men) undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were prospectively evaluated. LVEDP and central aortic pressures [systolic blood pressure (aSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (aDBP)] were sequentially measured using a pigtail catheter before ICA. Aortic pulse pressure (aPP) was defined by the difference between aSBP and aDBP.

RESULTS A total of 82 patients (79%) had obstructive coronary artery disease (≥50% stenosis). The mean LVEDP value was 18.7 ± 6.4 mmHg. Univariable analyses showed that aSBP (r = 0.309, P = 0.001) and aPP (r = 0.286, P = 0.003) significantly correlated with LVEDP, whereas aDBP was not correlated with LVEDP (P > 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that aSBP (β = 0.345, P = 0.001) and aPP (β = 0.276, P = 0.018) remained independent predictors of LVEDP even after controlling for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION Invasively measured aSBP and aPP were independently associated with invasively measured LVEDP in patients undergoing ICA. This result provides additional evidence of a close interaction between central aortic pressure and LV diastolic function in this population.