冠心病患者脑钠肽与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性研究

目的探讨脑钠肽与冠心病患者冠状动脉(冠脉)病变严重程度的相关性。方法入选行冠脉造影检查的冠心病患者173例,所有患者入院后均行冠脉造影检查及血浆脑钠肽(BNP)检查,分析不同冠脉病变支数、冠心病分型、冠脉病变程度(Gensini积分)与患者血清BNP水平之间的关系。结果随着冠脉病变支数增加,患者BNP水平呈显著增加趋势(P0.05)。稳定型心绞痛、不稳定型心绞痛、心肌梗死三组患者BNP水平呈显著增加趋势,三组BNP水平之间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。BNP100pg/ml的患者Gensini积分显著高于BNP100 pg/ml的患者Gensini积分,分别为(53.7±15.9)分vs.(29.3±20.7)分,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Gensini积分与BNP水平存在显著正相关(r=0.476,P0.05)。结论 BNP水平与冠心病患者冠脉病变严重程度正相关,BNP水平有可能作为冠心病患者冠脉病变严重程度的判断指标。     

绝经后女性冠心病患者中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性研究

目的:探讨绝经后女性冠心病患者的中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)与冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的关系。方法:收集经冠脉造影确诊的女性冠心病患者226例,根据NLR值分为NLR低值组(110例)和NLR高值组(116例)。记录Gensini积分,探讨NLR与冠脉病变程度的关系。结果:与NLR低值组的Gensini积分(38.07±29.50)比较,NLR高值组Gensini积分(47.45±34.91)较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。运用双变量相关分析发现,Gensini积分与NLR呈正相关(r=0.206,P0.05)。结论:与NLR低值组相比,NLR高值组的冠脉病变程度较严重,冠脉严重程度与NLR呈正相关。     

磷酸二酯酶-9A对评估冠状动脉粥样硬化病变程度的临床价值

目的:探讨血浆磷酸二酯酶-9A(PDE-9A)水平与冠状动脉(冠脉)粥样硬化病变严重程度的关系。方法:选择经冠脉造影确诊的冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)75例(单支病变33例、二支病变22例、三支病变20例)和同期行冠脉造影无血管病变的对照组25例,应用ELISA法测定血浆PDE-9A水平。以冠脉病变血管支数及Gensini积分评估冠脉粥样硬化程度,并与血浆PDE-9A水平进行相关分析。应用ROC曲线评估PDE-9A对严重冠脉病变的预测价值。结果:冠心病组血浆PDE-9A水平明显高于对照组[(29.50±7.77)ng/mL对(15.35±3.25)ng/mL,P0.05)]。随冠脉病变血管支数增多,血浆PDE-9A水平也逐渐升高(P0.05)。血浆PDE-9A水平与Gensini冠脉病变积分呈正相关(r=0.319,P0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血浆PDE-9A24.73 ng/mL预测多支(二支和三支)血管病变的敏感性为78.6%,特异性为92.3%;预测严重冠脉粥样硬化(Gensini积分≥45)的敏感性为93.2%,特异性为94.8%。但logistic多因素回归分析提示,血浆PDE-9A水平不是冠脉病变的独立危险因素。结论:血浆PDE-9A水平对评估冠脉病变严重性具有一定的临床价值。     

综合糖脂代谢指标与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性研究

目的:探讨综合糖脂代谢指标与冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的关系及其临床意义。方法:入选2012年3月至2013年12月于我院接受冠脉造影的717例患者,根据造影结果分为冠脉造影阴性的对照组(n=385)和冠心病组(n=332)。检测所有研究对象的血清糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、三酰甘油(TG)等,采用Gensini评分评估冠脉病变严重程度。采用Pearson相关系数分析连续性变量之间的相关性,Spearman相关系数检测分类变量之间的相关性。线性回归分析综合糖脂代谢指标HbA1c×LDL-C/HDL-C与Gensini积分的线性关系,非条件Logistic回归分析HbA1c×LDL-C/HDL-C与冠脉病变支数的相关性,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价HbA1c×LDL-C/HDL-C预测冠脉严重程度、冠脉多支病变的价值。结果:血清HbA1c、LDL-C水平、HbA1c×LDL-C/HDLC与Gensini积分呈正相关,而HDL-C水平与Gensini积分呈负相关。线性回归显示HbA1c×LDL-C/HDL-C与Gensini积分呈线性相关,其判断冠脉病变严重程度的ROC曲线下面积为0.724(P0.01)。Logistic回归分析显示HbA1c×LDL-C/HDL-C与冠脉病变支数显著相关,其判断冠脉病变支数的ROC曲线下面积为0.638(P0.01)。结论:综合糖脂代谢指标对冠脉粥样硬化病变严重程度、病变支数有一定的预测价值。     

载脂蛋白B/载脂蛋白A1比值与青年冠心病患者冠状动脉病变严重程度的研究

目的:分析载脂蛋白B/载脂蛋白A1(ApoB/ApoA1)比值与青年冠心病患者冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的相关性。方法:将179例青年冠心病患者(15～44周岁)作为病例组。77例无全身动脉粥样硬化性疾病、冠脉造影也无冠脉粥样硬化的青年患者作为对照组。以Gensini积分评估病例组患者冠脉病变程度,分为高Gensini积分组(Gensini评分≥60)、低Gensini积分组(Gensini评分1～59)。计算ApoB/ApoA1比值。结果:病例组ApoB/ApoA1比值高于对照组[(0.88±0.29)∶(0.76±0.28),P0.05];高Gensini积分组的ApoB/ApoA1比值高于低Gensini积分组[(0.95±0.32)∶(0.82±0.24),P0.05];病例组患者冠脉病变Gensini积分与ApoB/ApoA1值呈正相关(r=0.404,P0.05)。ROC曲线分析证实ApoB/ApoA1比值诊断高Gensini积分的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.77,敏感性为0.77,特异性为0.69,AUC高于其他单项血脂指标。结论:ApoB/ApoA1比值与青年冠心病患者冠脉病变程度具有相关性,与Gensini积分呈正相关。     

非糖尿病患者空腹血糖水平和冠状动脉病变的关系

目的探讨非糖尿病患者空腹血糖水平和冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的关系。方法回顾性纳入行冠状动脉造影的非糖尿病受检者464例,根据冠状动脉造影结果,将受检者分为冠心病组(n=290)和非冠心病组(n=174),计算受检者冠脉Gensini评分,对两组受检者临床数据进行对比,通过Spearman相关分析以及Logistic回归分析,评估空腹血糖水平和冠状动脉病变程度之间的关系。结果冠心病组空腹血糖水平显著高于非冠心病组[(5.31±0.60)mmol/L vs.(5.45±0.66)mmol/L,P0.05],Spearman相关分析提示空腹血糖水平和Gensini评分显著正相关(r=0.180,P0.01)。Logistic回归分析表明,空腹血糖水平升高是冠心病的独立危险因素(OR=1.145,95%CI:1.046~1.997,P=0.026)。结论在非糖尿病患者中,空腹血糖水平和冠脉病变程度显著正相关,空腹血糖水平升高是冠心病的独立危险因素。     

心电图平面QRS-T夹角与冠心病的相关性及对其的诊断价值

目的:探讨12导联心电图平面QRS-T夹角与冠心病(CHD)的相关性及对其的诊断价值。方法:选择2014年6月～2016年10月于我院接受冠脉造影者140例为研究对象。根据冠脉造影结果,研究对象被分为健康对照组(70例)和CHD组(70例),而CHD组又进一步分为不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组(40例)和急性心肌梗死(AMI)组(30例)。采用Gensini积分评估各组冠脉病变严重程度,比较各组QRS-T夹角、Gensini积分。分析QRS-T夹角与Gensini积分的相关性,采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析QRS-T夹角对CHD的诊断价值。结果:与健康对照组比较,CHD组QRS-T夹角[(40.16±10.33)°比(93.23±12.25)°]、QRS-T夹角90°比例(28.57%比85.71%)、Gensini积分[0分比(38.29±9.36)分]均显著升高,P均=0.001;与UAP组比较,AMI组QRS-T夹角和Gensini积分均显著升高,P均=0.001。Pearson相关分析显示CHD组QRS-T夹角与Gensini积分呈显著正相关(r=0.693,P=0.001)。ROC曲线显示,以QRS-T夹角90°为切点,其诊断CHD的灵敏性为85.71%、特异性为71.43%、准确性为78.57%。结论:心电图平面QRS-T夹角与冠心病严重程度呈显著正相关,对冠心病的诊断具有一定的价值,值得推广。     

血清脂联素水平与冠脉病变严重程度有关

目的: 了解血清脂联素水平与冠脉病变严重程度的关系。方法: 入选96例冠状动脉造影（CAG）的冠心病患者,根据临床病史和CAG结果分为2组:急性冠脉综合征(ACS)组60例,稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组36例;另收集非冠心病CAG阴性组40例为对照组。用Gensini评分系统对冠状动脉病变程度进行评分。根据Gensini评分系统将冠脉病变组分为Gensini积分≥30分组和<30分组,再根据冠脉病变支数分为单支,双支和3支组。采用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定血清脂联素水平。分析血清脂联素水平与冠脉病变严重程度及冠脉病变支数的相互关系。结果: ACS组和SAP组血清脂联素水平［(7.2±2.6)mg/L,(8.4±3.2)mg/L］明显低于非冠心病组［(19.5±2.5)mg/L,均P<0.01］,且ACS组和SAP组之间差异也具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Gensini积分≥30分脂联素水平［(7.0±1.6）mg/L］明显低于<30分组,［(13.7±6.7)mg/L,P<0.01］。3支病变组血清脂联素水平［(7.5±2.8)mg/L］较单支组［(13.2±5.8)mg/L］显著降低（P<0.01）,较双支病变组［(10.7±4.8)mg/L］也显著降低（P<0.05）。双支病变组与单支病变组之间差异无统计学意义。血清脂联素水平与冠脉病变严重程度Gensini积分呈负相关(r=-0.713,P<0.01)。结论: 脂联素水平与冠脉病变严重程度及冠脉病变支数显著相关,低脂联素水平可以作为评价冠脉病变严重程度的一个指标。     

空腹血糖与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性

目的探讨空腹血糖（FPG）水平与冠状动脉（下称冠脉）病变程度的相关性。方法回顾分析913例高度怀疑冠心病（CHD）而行冠脉造影的患者的临床资料,冠脉造影病变程度由是否诊断CHD、冠脉病变支数和冠脉病变Gensini总积分三方面表示。对FPG水平与冠脉病变程度进行单因素和多因素分析。结果FPG与冠脉病变程度密切相关：（1）Logistic回归结果显示FPG与冠脉有无病变显著相关（OR值1.462,95%CI为1.178~1.813,P〈0.01）;（2）多元逐步回归结果显示在校正了年龄、性别等因素之后,FPG与冠脉病变支数（r=0.164,P〈0.01）、冠脉病变总积分（r=0.088,P〈0.05）仍然独立相关。随着FPG的升高,冠脉病变支数增加。结论冠心病高危人群的FPG水平与冠脉病变程度密切相关,即使在糖尿病前期,随着FPG升高,冠脉病变程度也更加严重。     

冠心病合并糖尿病患者血清hs-CRP水平与冠脉病变程度的相关分析

目的：探讨冠心病合并糖尿病患者血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平与冠脉病变程度的相关性。方法：选取130例住院的冠心病患者分为两组：冠心病合并糖尿病组患者61例,单纯冠心病组患者69例。所有患者应用免疫比浊法测定hs-CRP、空腹血糖(FPG)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)浓度,行冠状动脉造影检查,以Gensini冠状动脉积分评价冠状动脉病变程度。结果：冠心病合并糖尿病组患者的血清hs-CRP、FPG水平和Gensini冠状动脉积分均高于单纯冠心病组患者(P<0.05),采用多元线性回归分析表明,冠心病合并糖尿病组患者血清hs-CRP水平升高与Gensini冠状动脉积分呈正相关(t=2.22,P＜0.05)。结论：血清hs-CRP水平升高与冠心病合并糖尿病患者冠脉病变严重程度相关。     

C-reactive protein is related to arterial wave reflection and stiffness in asymptomatic subjects from the community

BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is associated with functional properties of arteries. We investigated the relationship of CRP to measures of arterial wave reflection and stiffness (aortic augmentation index [AIX], carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [PWV], and pulse pressure) in asymptomatic individuals from the community. METHODS: Subjects (n = 214) had a mean age of 59 years and 53% were men. CRP was measured by a high-sensitivity assay and values were log-transformed to reduce skewness. Radial artery waveforms were obtained by applanation tonometry, a validated transfer function was used to derive an ascending aortic pressure waveform, and AIX calculated. PWV was calculated from electrocardiogram-gated waveforms of the right carotid and right femoral artery obtained by applanation tonometry. RESULTS: Log CRP was correlated with AIX (r = 0.24, P = .0005), PWV (r = 0.25, P = .0002), and pulse pressure (r = 0.29, P < or = .0001). In separate backward elimination multiple regression analyses, log CRP was significantly associated with AIX (P = .038) and pulse pressure (P = .036), and marginally significantly associated with PWV (P = .054), after adjustment for heart rate, height, and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, and history of smoking). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation, is related to measures of arterial wave reflection and stiffness in asymptomatic subjects from the community. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and the implications for assessment and management of CHD risk.     

冠心病患者冠状动脉病变进展的相关危险因素的研究

目的探讨影响初发冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者冠状动脉病变进展的相关危险因素。方法纳入2008年1月至2012年12月在北京电力医院心内科行冠脉造影检查(CAG)的患者122例,所有患者初次行CAG检查时被确诊为冠心病,在此期间完成第2次CAG检查。根据两次CAG检查结果将患者分为冠脉病变进展组和无进展组。比较两组患者基线时的冠心病相关危险因素包括性别、年龄、吸烟史、高血压病史、糖尿病病史、血脂水平和冠脉病变的特点,采用二分类logistic回归分析研究冠脉病变进展的独立预测因素。结果两次冠脉造影检查平均间隔时间为(33.4±19.5)个月。第2次冠脉造影检查时71例(58.2%)患者有冠脉病变进展,51例(41.8%)患者无冠脉病变进展。与无进展组患者相比,进展组患者基线吸烟者比例更高(59.2%vs.39.2%,P=0.03),基线高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平较低(0.97±0.25 mmoL/L vs.1.18±0.25 mmoL/L,P=0.029),基线冠脉造影三支病变者更多(38.0%vs.15.7%,P=0.007),更多患者基线冠脉造影检查时行经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗(88.7%vs.70.6%,P=0.011)。二分类logistic回归分析显示,基线HDL-C水平(OR=0.167,95%CI:0.033～0.854,P=0.032),基线冠脉造影检查时接受PCI治疗(OR=3.281,95%CI:1.268～8.491,P=0.014),基线时冠脉三支病变(OR=4.289,95%CI:1.447～12.712,P=0.009)和两次冠脉造影检查间隔时间(OR=1.029,95%CI:1.007～1.052,P=0.01)是冠脉病变进展的独立预测因素。结论基线HDL-C水平、基线冠脉造影时接受PCI治疗、三支病变和两次冠脉造影检查间隔时间是冠心病进展的独立预测因素。     

冠心病合并糖尿病患者Apelin-12水平及相关性研究

目的分析冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)不同程度病变及合并糖尿病患者Apelin-12水平及相关性。方法连续纳入2011年2月至2013年2月在安徽省合肥市第二人民医院心血管内科住院并行冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查的患者195例,男性107例,女性88例,年龄34~87岁。按照CAG检查结果及是否合并糖尿病分为三组:正常组(n=59)、冠心病组(CHD组,n=75)、冠心病合并糖尿病组(CHD+DM组,n=61)。根据CAG结果分为对照组(n=53)、单支组(n=58)、双支组(n=36)和多支组(n=48)。根据CAG结果行Gensini评分。检测血清Apelin-12水平,与冠状动脉病变程度进行相关性分析。结果对照组、单支组、双支组、多支组Apelin-12水平[(4.35±1.27)ng/ml vs.(3.36±0.84)ng/ml vs.(2.28±0.33)ng/ml vs.(1.69±0.48)ng/ml]呈下降趋势,Gensini积分[(10.63±4.16)vs.(25.64±8.53)vs.(47.18±16.32)vs.(65.18±18.43)]呈升高趋势,差异具有统计学意义(P均0.05)。冠状动脉病变Gensini积分和Apelin-12相关分析结果显示,Gensini积分和Apelin-12水平呈负相关(r=-0.338,P0.05)。结论冠心病患者Apelin-12水平下降,下降程度与冠状动脉病变程度相关。     

Aortic augmentation index is inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in men without known coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the aortic augmentation index (AIx), a measure of arterial wave reflection and stiffness, is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in men without known coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Asymptomatic men (n = 201, mean age 51 +/- 9.2 years) referred for a screening exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) underwent applanation tonometry to obtain radial artery pulse waveforms, and an ascending aortic pressure waveform was derived by a transfer function. The AIx is the difference between the first and second systolic peak of the ascending aortic pressure waveform, expressed as a percentage of the pulse pressure. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max mL/min/kg) during a symptom-limited graded exercise test. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify significant independent determinants of AIx and of VO2 max. RESULTS: Diabetes was present in 2.5% of subjects, 34.8% had history of smoking, and 29% were hypertensive. Mean (+/- SD) AIx was 19.9% +/- 9.0% and mean VO(2 max) was 33.9 +/- 6.4 mL/min/kg. In a multivariable linear regression model, AIx was positively associated with age, hypertension, and history of smoking and inversely with heart rate, height, and body mass index (BMI). The VO2 max was significantly inversely related to AIx after adjustment for age, heart rate, height, and BMI (r = -0.22, P = .002), after further adjustment for CHD risk factors (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, history of smoking, diabetes, hypertension) (P = .006), and after additional adjustment for behavioral factors (physical activity score, alcohol intake, and percent body fat) (P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that AIx, a measure of arterial wave reflection and stiffness, is inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in men without CHD.     

冠心病介入手术后阿托伐他汀对冠脉再狭窄的影响

目的：观察经皮冠状动脉介入（PCI）术后患者服用阿托伐他汀后血清低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL—C）水平达标情况及其与冠脉再狭窄的关系。方法：选择我院因冠心病行PCI术患者91例,术后除接受抗血小板等常规治疗外,均服用阿托伐他汀（20mg／d）,6～18月后再次行冠脉造影术（CAG）,根据CAG评分结果患者被分为病变进展组（n=32）和病变未进展组（n=59）;又根据第二次手术前LDL—C水平分为LDL-C≥2．1mmol／L（n=43）,1．64LDL—c〈2．1mmol／L（n=30）,LDL—C〈1．6mmol／L（n=18）三亚组,并探讨其相关性。结果：与病变未进展组患者比较,病变进展组LDL-C降低幅度[（0．46±0．81）mmol／L比（-0．04±0．65）mmol／L],降低百分比[（13．18±31．67）％比（-8．21±37．22）％]明显减小（P均〈0．05）;LDL-C≥2．1mmol／L组,1．6≤LDL-C〈2．1mmol／L组,LDL-C〈1．6mmol／L组病变未进展者比例逐渐升高（58．1％比63．3％比83．3％,P〈0．05）;Spearman分析显示,CAG前LDL水平与冠脉评分呈负相关（r=-0．70,P〈0．0001）。结论：常规治疗量的阿托伐他汀可使多数患者低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平达标并有效遏制冠心病患者冠脉再狭窄。     

活动平板试验中收缩压恢复比对冠心病的预测价值

目的：研究活动平板试验中收缩压恢复比（rSBP）对冠心病的诊断价值。方法：99例患者接受活动平板试验和冠状动脉造影,分为冠心病组（56例,冠脉造影阳性）、高血压病组（18例,冠脉造影阴性）和对照组（25例,冠脉造影阴性）,对比分析rSBP和ST／HR斜率对冠心病的诊断价值。结果：冠心病组、高血压病组3minrSBP值[（0．94±0．09）、（0．80±0．10）]显著高于对照组的（0．74±0．06）,分别P〈0．01,〈0．05。rSBP诊断冠心病的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为89．3％、76．7％、特异性、准确性分别为90．7％、90．3％、94．2％。结论：斜率可提高诊断的特异性和准确性。83．3％,联合rSBP和ST／HR斜率诊断冠心病的敏感性、rSBP可作为诊断冠心病的无创指标之一,联合ST／HR     

Arterial wave reflection is associated with severity of extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Arterial wave reflection is a major determinant of left ventricular function, coronary perfusion and cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether arterial wave reflection may detect atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Radial artery applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis was performed in 184 patients with documented CAD at coronary angiography; central blood pressures and augmentation index (AI) were measured. Ankle-brachial (ABI) index and intima-media thickness (IMT) were used as indices of atherosclerosis of the lower limbs and the carotid arteries respectively. RESULTS: Patients with abnormal IMT (> 0.7 mm, first tertile) or ABI (< 0.94, first tertile) had higher AI than patients with lower IMT or higher ABI (24 +/- 17 versus 17 +/- 16% and 23 +/- 18 versus 18 +/- 13%, respectively, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, increasing AI was associated with age, female gender, heart rate, mean blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia, and use of statins (regression coefficient (beta) = 0.50, beta = 0.15, beta = -0.60, beta = 0.23, beta = 0.16 and beta = -0.14, respectively, P < 0.05). Increasing AI was associated with an adjusted-odds ratio of 1.035 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.005-1.066], P = 0.02 for an abnormal IMT and of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.024-1.146), P = 0.005 for ABI after adjustment for age, gender, heart rate, height, blood pressure, atherosclerotic risk factors, obesity and medication. No relation was found between AI and Gensini score or for the number of diseased coronary vessels. CONCLUSION: Augmentation index is a marker of extensive extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.     

潘生丁试验与冠状动脉造影结果对比分析

目的 探讨潘生丁试验（DP－1）在冠心病诊断中的价值。方法 应用DP－T及冠脉造(CAG）对可疑冠心病患者进行自身对比研究。结果 DP－T敏感性为81．8％，特异性为60．0％。结论 在不能开展冠脉造影的医院，DP－T作为非创伤性检查手段在冠心病诊断中具有重要价值。     

Estimation of central pressure augmentation using automated radial artery tonometry

BACKGROUND: Peripheral wave reflection augments central blood pressure and contributes to cardiac load. This pressure augmentation is not quantifiable from brachial cuff pressure but can be determined from carotid pulsations using the augmentation index (AI). However, carotid tonometry is technically challenging and difficult to standardize in practice. We tested whether automated radial pressure analysis provides a viable alternative. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carotid and radial AI (cAI, rAI) were measured in 46 volunteers with a broad range of arterial properties. Data were assessed at rest, during a cold-pressor test, and following 0.4 mg of sublingual nitroglycerin. cAI correlated with rAI independent of age, mean blood pressure (BP), gender or body mass (cAI = 0.79 x rAI - 0.467, r = 0.81, P < 0.00001), with zero mean bias. There was individual variability in the prediction (difference of -4 +/- 23%), though 65% of the estimates fell within 15% of each other. Change in rAI and cAI with provocative maneuvers also correlated (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). Both cAI and rAI were nonlinearly related to late-systolic pressure-time integral (PTI), an index of cardiac load. At cAI < 0.1 or rAI < 0.69, PTI was unaltered, while greater values correlated with increased PTI. rAI accurately predicted this cut-off in 88% of cases, with a 5.5% false negative rate. CONCLUSIONS: Automated rAI analysis is an easily applied method to assess basal and dynamic central pressure augmentation. While individual predictive accuracy of cAI was variable, overall population results were consistent, supporting use of rAI in clinical trials. Its prediction of when AI is associated with greater LV loading (i.e. cardiac risk) is good and may help stratify individual risk along with brachial cuff pressure.