Novel Measures of Arterial Hemodynamics and Wave Reflections Associated With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background Arterial stiffness and earlier wave reflections can increase afterload and impair cardiovascular function. Most prior studies have been performed in patients with preserved left ventricular function. We describe novel measures of pulsatile arterial hemodynamics and their association with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Methods and Results Participants with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n=137, median age 56 years, 49% women, 58% Black) and age-matched healthy controls (n=124) underwent measurements of large artery stiffness and pulsatile arterial hemodynamics. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were assessed using radial applanation tonometry. Pressure-flow analyses derived reflected wave transit time, the systolic pressure-time integral imposed by proximal aortic characteristic impedance, and the pressure-time integral from wave reflection (wasted pressure effort). Cox proportional hazards models defined associations between hemodynamic measures and (1) all-cause death and (2) a combined end point of left ventricular assist device implant, heart transplant, and death, at 2 years adjusted for race, BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide), and the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure Risk Score. Compared with controls, participants with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction exhibited similar carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (6.8±1.6 versus 7.0±1.6 m/s,