Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory patterns are differentially associated with cardiac structure and function in late-life

Abstract Background Pulmonary and cardiac function both decline with age. However, few data exist regarding the associations of obstructive and restrictive spirometric patterns with cardiac structure and function in late-life. Purpose Determine the associations of reduced percent predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) and forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC with cardiac structure and function in late life. Methods In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities longitudinal cohort study, 3,854 heart failure free participants underwent echocardiography and spirometry at the fifth study visit (2011–2013). Relationships were examined using multivariable linear regression. Models adjusted for demographics and clinical risk factors (Table legend). Results Mean age was 75±5 years, 40% were male, 19% black, and 6% current smokers. Mean FEV1/FVC was 72±8, and ppFVC was 98±17%. In adjusted analyses, lower FEV1/FVC was associated with higher pulmonary arterial pressure (PASP) but not with measures of left ventricular (LV) structure or function (Table). In contrast, lower ppFVC, was associated with greater LV mass, worse LV strain, higher E/e' ratio, greater left atrial volume index, and higher PASP (all p