Total arterial compliance is a major determinant of peak oxygen uptake

Total arterial compliance (TAC), defined as dV/dP, is a major component of the arterial system. A decreased TAC increases left ventricular load and has a detrimental effect on coronary perfusion. We sought to assess the influence of TAC on the functional reserve (VO₂max). 14 patients (mean age 64±14y) with known or suspected coronary artery disease and 11 controls (34±5y) underwent supine bicycle exercise echocardiography. The audio Doppler signal output of the echocardiographic machine was digitized with a customized hardware and software interface simultaneously with carotid tonometry and ECG. TAC at rest was calculated by the pulse-pressure method (PPM). By step-wise forward multivariate analysis, independent predictors of VO₂max were: patient vs. control status, peak exercise cardiac output and TAC. The described PC-based acquisition system for tonometry and Doppler signals permits the assessment of ventricular function and arterial biomechanics