Arterial compliance in patients with cirrhosis: stroke volume-pulse pressure ratio as simplified index

Arterial function may be altered in patients with cirrhosis. We determined compliance of the arterial tree (C-1) in relation to systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic derangement and clinical variables. C-1 and the stroke volume-pulse pressure index (SV/PP) were significantly higher (+62% and +40%, respectively; P< 0.001) in cirrhotic patients (n = 49) than in control subjects (n = 19), and a close correlation between C-1 and SV/PP was found in both cirrhotic patients (r = 0.86, P< 0.001) and control subjects (r = 0.96, P< 0.001). Univariate analysis showed significant relations between C-1 and SV/PP on one side and age, sex, body weight, portal pressure, systemic hemodynamics, biochemical variables, and severity of disease on the other. In the multiple-regression analysis, sex, age, mean arterial blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and biochemical variables were significant independent predictors of SV/PP (P< 0.005-0.00001). In conclusion, arterial compliance is elevated in cirrhosis. A simplified SV/PP index seems to reflect abnormalities in the arterial compliance of these patients.