Noninvasive Assessment of Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in Heart Failure

Abstract

The heart and the arterial system are anatomically and functionally linked together. Noninvasive assessment of ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) can be done using different methods that are promising tools to assess individual hemodynamics and tailor treatment in patients with heart failure (HF). Moreover, different methods available can be appropriately used in different settings such as acute and chronic HF. VAC parameters also can add incremental value over the conventional risk factors in predicting cardiac outcome.

Keywords: Acute heart failure; Arterial stiffness; Chronic heart failure; Left ventricular function; Ventricular-arterial coupling.