P1-02: Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVAO) but not augmentation index (AIX) is associated with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (ACA)

• Published in: Annales de cardiologie et d'angéiologie Vol. 64; p. S23
• Main Authors: Illyes, M., Böcskei, R., Cziráki, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier SAS 01.12.2015
• ISSN: 0003-3928
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-3928(16)30049-X

Association between ACA and aortic stiffness (PWVao) in healthy, normotensive population. 234 (51.0±11.1 years) normotensive subjects without cardiovascular disease or diabetes were studied. PWVao, Aix were measured with oscillometric, occlusive method (Arteriograph). ACA was defined as 1,0mm or larger echogen plaque and/or a focal increase of IMT 1,3mm or larger measured with ultrasound. Logistic regression analysis was used to define parameters related significantly and independently to ACA. 60 patients (25.6%) had asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (ACA). Significant differences were found between patients with and without ACA in the stiffness parameters (PWVao 9.6±1,6m/s vs 8.2±v1.3, Aix 34.8±12.9 vs 25.7±14.5%), in age (58.9±8.7 vs 48.3±10.5 years) but no significant differences were seen in SBP (126.2±8.2 vs 124.1±9,2mmHg) and DBP (75.7±7.1 vs 75.2±7.6mmHg). Adding age, gender, smoking, BMI, SBP, HR, Aix and PWVao to the stepwise analysis PWVao was selected in the second step, and in the final model age, smoking and PWVao remained significant contributors to ACA. The optimal PWVao threshold for ACA proved to be 8.71m/s. The sensitivity of PWVao to reveal ACA turned to be 72%, the sensitivity 71%, the positive predictive value 45%, the negative predictive value 88%, the relative risk 3.77, the odds ratio 6.1. In a middle age, apparently healthy, normotensive population PWVao measured with Arteriograph is independently related to ACA, while Aix did not, suggesting that PWVao is a more specific marker to macrovascular atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that Aix might be related to earlier stage of atherosclerosis that question has to be addressed for further studies.