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.