Association of Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling With Cardiac Structure and Function, Pulmonary Pressure, and Heart Failure in Late Life: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

The authors aimed to investigate the associations between pulmonary vascular remodeling and cardiac structure and function, pulmonary pressure, and heart failure in older adults. They found that greater distal pruning and proximal dilation of pulmonary arteries were linked to worse left ventricular remodeling, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, increased pulmonary artery pressure, and a higher risk of heart failure. These findings highlight the morphological changes in pulmonary vasculature that contribute to cardiac dysfunction and elevated pulmonary pressure in late life.