3 Feb 2025 • Higher aortic augmentation index (AIx), a marker of arterial stiffness, is independently associated with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Those with AIx >80% showed significantly lower RV systolic function—tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), fractional area change (FAC), right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVLS), and right ventricular systolic velocity (RV S’) and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary vascular resistance.

AIx remained an independent predictor of RV dysfunction (odds ratio = 3.42) after adjusting for confounders.

These findings underscore the role of arterial stiffness in RV impairment and suggest its potential as a therapeutic target in CAD management.

Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorder | Read Full Story