OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in stroke volume (SV) and stroke volume index (SI) between Han and Korean-Chinese and to investigate the correlated risk factors.

METHODSA total of 1 647 Han and 876 Korean-Chinese aged 10-80 years were investigated. SV, SI, cardiac output, cardiac output index, heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and blood pressure were measured.

RESULTSSV/SI values in Korean-Chinese were lower than those in the Han of the same sex and age. Covariance analysis showed that, apart from the effect of sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the differences in SV and SI between the two cohorts were still significant (P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the SV difference between the two ethnicities was affected (in descending order from a strong to weak correlation) by SVR, SVRI, HR, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, BMI, and systolic blood pressure, while the SI difference was affected by SVR, SVRI, HR, mean arterial pressure, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and BMI.

CONCLUSIONThe Fact that SV and SI in Korean-Chinese are lower than those in Han is related with higher SVR, HR and blood pressure in the Korean-Chinese.