Korean Circ J.  2021 Nov;51(11):881-898. 10.4070/kcj.2021.0227.

Pulsatile Hemodynamics and Coronary Artery Disease

• Kim HL
• Weber T

• KMID: 2522106
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2021.0227

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of human death and has a high prevalence throughout the world. Therefore, it is important to detect CAD early and to apply individualized therapy according to the patients' risk. There is an increasing interest in pulsatile arterial hemodynamics in the cardiovascular area. Widely used measurements of arterial pulsatile hemodynamics include pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Here, we will review underlying pathophysiology linking the association of arterial pulsatile hemodynamics with CAD, and the usefulness of the measurements of pulsatile hemodynamics in the prediction of future cardiovascular events of CAD patients. Clinical and therapeutic implications will be also addressed.

Keyword

Arterial stiffness; Pulse wave velocity; Wave reflections; Coronary artery disease; Pulsatile hemodynamics

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Pulsatile hemodynamics may promote the progression of coronary artery disease at every step.

• 

  Figure 2 Mechanisms explaining the association between arterial stiffening and coronary atherosclerosis.AIx = augmentation index; PP = pulse pressure.

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