The significance of rate pressure product in heart failure patients

The rate pressure product (RPP) is a strong determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption, and relates strongly to important indices for morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. Its significance in Black-African subjects with heart failure (HF) has however not been well described. This study therefore aimed to assess the significance of RPP among admitted HF patients in 2 Nigerian centres. Methods: Admitted HF patients in the 2 centres were serially recruited after satisfying all inclusion criteria. RPP was calculated by multiplying heart rate by systolic blood pressure at admission. Subjects were classified into 2 groups based on RPP 4.0 was strongly associated with IVST (95%confidence interval (CI): 1.061-1.528, p=0.009) and NT-BNP (CI:0.999-1.000, p=0.026). There was however no significant relationship (p>0.05) between RPP and in-hospital mortality, severity of dyspnoea, gender, age, body weight, LV ejection fraction or presence of atrial fibrillation/flutter. Conclusion: This study confirms the close relationship that exists between a determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption (RPP), and indices for LV wall tension (IVST, LVEDD and NT-BNP), in Black-Africans with HF.