Prediction of cardiovascular events using brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity in hypertensive patients

The prognostic value of arterial stiffness in Korean hypertensive patients has not been specified. This study was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Korean hypertensive patients and to propose a cutoff value of baPWV predicting future cardiovascular events. A total of 2561 hypertensive patients without documented cardiovascular disease (mean age, 63 years; 47% females) who underwent baPWV measurement were retrospectively analyzed. Composite events of cardiac death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and ischemic stroke were assessed during the clinical follow‐up period. During a median follow‐up period of 4.14 years (interquartile range, 2.18‐5.48 years), there were 69 cases of composite events (2.7%). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the best cutoff value of baPWV predicting composite events was 1630 cm/s (sensitivity, 79.7%; specificity, 49.1%; area under curve, 0.674; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.613‐0.735; P < .001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, higher baPWV (≥1630 cm/s) was independently associated with higher risk of the occurrence of composite events even after controlling for potential confounders (hazard ratio, 2.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.49‐5.36; P = .001). In conclusion, increased baPWV in Korean hypertensive patients was associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular events. In addition, we suggested 1630 cm as a cutoff value of baPWV for predicting cardiovascular events, which will be helpful in guiding the treatment strategy of Korean hypertensive patients.     

The positive correlation between brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity and aortic diameter in Chinese patients with diabetes

Aortic dilation is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Increased brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a hallmark of vascular aging and arterial stiffness, as well as an important risk factor for vascular disease. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the correlation between baPWV and aortic diameter (AoD) of inpatients with diabetes. A total of 1294 diabetic patients with the detailed medical records were investigated. Arterial stiffness was assessed using baPWV and AoD using echocardiography. The results showed that baPWV and AoD increase with age (p <0.05). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left atrial diameter, right ventricle diameter, pulmonary artery diameter, peak velocity of early transmitral blood flow/peak velocity of late transmitral blood flow, and baPWV independently correlated with AoD in patients with diabetes. Additionally, an increased risk of aortic dilation occurred in the highest baPWV quartile compared with the lowest quartile (p <0.001). In conclusion, baPWV is independently and positively associated with AoD. Hence, prospective cohorts or randomized clinical trials will be the next step to further determine whether interventions designed to improve arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes will reduce the risk of aortic dilation.     

Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity as a measurement for increased carotid intima‐media thickness: A comparison with carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity in a Chinese community‐based cohort

Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) act as two most frequently applied indicators to evaluate arterial stiffness. Limited studies have systematically compared the relationships between cfPWV/baPWV and increased carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT). This study aimed to investigate the associations of the two PWV indices with cIMT in a Chinese community‐based population. A total of 6026 Chinese participants from an atherosclerosis cohort were included in our analysis. Increased cIMT was defined as the maximum of cIMT > 0.9 mm in end‐systolic period of carotid artery. Mean (SD) cfPWV and baPWV were 8.55±1.83  and 16.79±3.35 m/s, respectively. The prevalence of increased cIMT was 59.58%. In multivariable logistic regression, both PWVs were independently associated with increased cIMT after adjustment for various confounders (for 1 m/s increase of cfPWV: OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.11; for 1 m/s increase of baPWV: OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.05). The highest cfPWV and baPWV quartile groups had higher prevalence of increased cIMT when compared with the lowest quartile groups (for cfPWV: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.55; for baPWV: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.50). However, when both PWVs were added into multivariable model simultaneously, only cfPWV was associated with odds of increased cIMT. Subgroup analyses further showed cfPWV was more strongly associated with increased cIMT than baPWV in males, participants aged ≥65 years, and those with other cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, both cfPWV and baPWV are associated with increased cIMT in a Chinese community‐based population. Furthermore, cfPWV is more strongly correlated with increased cIMT compared to baPWV.     

Visit‑to‑visit blood pressure variability is associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese adults: A prospective analysis

Blood pressure (BP) variability may have its effect on the development of vascular disease. The authors aimed to examine the association between the visit‐to‐visit variability (VVV) of BP and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults. The authors included 1407 participants from a prospective cohort study of community residents who were ≥40 years, without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, and with data at the baseline, the second and the third visits in 2008, 2009, and 2013. The VVV of BP was defined as the standard deviation (SD), the coefficient of variation (CV), the average successive variability (ASV), and the variability independent of the mean (VIM) in BP levels at the 3 visits. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV) at the 2nd and the 3rd visits. Levels of ba‐PWV change and the occurrence of an elevated ba‐PWV increased significantly in the highest tertile of VVV measures of systolic BP (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) compared with the lowest tertile, respectively. The multivariable regression analysis revealed that VVV measures of SBP and PP were significantly associated with levels of ba‐PWV change and the risks of developing an elevated ba‐PWV. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk were 2.12 (1.57–3.12) and 1.92 (1.38–2.68) in participants with the highest versus the lowest tertile of SBP‐SD and PP‐SD, respectively. No significant association was found for diastolic BP variability measures. The increased long‐term variabilities of SBP and PP were associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness.     

Comparison of carotid‐femoral and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity in association with carotid plaque in a Chinese community‐based population

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the most widely used measurement of arterial stiffness in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the relationships between carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial‐ankle PWV (baPWV) and the presence of carotid plaque. This study was designed cross‐sectionally and included 6027 participants from a community‐based cohort in Beijing. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate and compare the associations of cfPWV and baPWV with the presence of carotid plaque. The mean (SD) cfPWV and baPWV were 8.55 ± 1.83 and 16.79 ± 3.36, respectively. The prevalence of carotid plaque was 45.26% (n = 2728). Both cfPWV (per 1 m/s increase: OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.16) and baPWV (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06) were independently associated with carotid plaque after adjusting for various confounders. Compared with bottom quartile (cfPWV ≤7.31 m/s and baPWV ≤14.44 m/s), the top quartile of cfPWV and baPWV had a significantly higher prevalence of carotid plaque (for cfPWV: OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.32–1.92; for baPWV: OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.26–1.86). However, the relationship of baPWV and carotid plaque was nonlinear, with a positive trend only when baPWV < 16.85 m/s. When comparing relationships between PWV indices and carotid plaque in one model, both cfPWV and baPWV were significantly associated with carotid plaque in participants with baPWV < 16.85 m/s; however, only cfPWV was independently associated with carotid plaque in participants with baPWV ≥16.85 m/s. Both cfPWV and baPWV were significantly associated with carotid plaque in the Chinese community‐based population. Furthermore, cfPWV was more strongly correlated with carotid plaque than baPWV in participants with baseline baPWV ≥16.85 m/s.     

Association between brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in different age groups

BackgroundTo investigate the association between brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in different age groups.MethodsA total of 39 417 people, receiving Kailuan physical examination, completing baPWV examination from 2010 to 2017, with no history of CVD and atrial fibrillation, were selected as the observation objects. The population was categorized into one age group per 10 years, namely the <50, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80‐year‐old groups, and the total population, and each group was further assigned into three classes according to the triple quartiles of baPWV. Kaplan–Meier method helped to calculate the cumulative incidence of CVD in different age groups. The effect of baPWV on CVD in different age groups was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsKaplan–Meier survival curve indicated statistical significance (p < .05) in the cumulative incidence of CVD among the whole population, <50, 50–59, and 60–69‐year‐old groups, while the cumulative incidence of end‐point events among the baPWV subgroups of 70–79 and ≥80‐year‐old groups exhibited no statistical significance (p > .05). Compared with baPWV in the Q1 group, hazard ratio value (95% confidence interval [CI]) of CVD in the Q3 group was 4.14 (95% CI: 2.98–5.75) in the total population, 2.98 (95% CI: 1.08–8.21) in <50‐year‐old population, 4.49 (95% CI: 2.89–7.00) in 50–59‐year‐old population, 2.78 (95% CI: 1.76–4.39) in 60–69‐year‐old population, 1.39 (95% CI: 0.86–2.24) in 70–79‐year‐old population, and 1.15 (95% CI: 0.55–2.41) in ≥80‐year‐old population.ConclusionCVD risk attributed to increased arterial stiffness reduces with age.     

Impact of home blood pressure variability on cardiovascular outcome in patients with arterial stiffness: Results of the J‐HOP study

This study sought to investigate whether the relation between increased blood pressure (BP) variability and increased arterial stiffness confers a risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We analyzed 2648 patients from a practitioner‐based population (mean ± SD age 64.9 ± 11.4 years: 75.8% taking antihypertensive medication) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor who underwent home BP monitoring in the Japan Morning Surge‐Home Blood Pressure Study. The standard deviation (SD_SBP), coefficient of variation (CV_SBP), and average real variability (ARV_SBP) were assessed as indexes of day‐by‐day home systolic BP (SBP) variability. The authors assessed arterial stiffness by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and divided patients into lower (< 1800 cm/s, n = 1837) and higher (≥1800 cm/s, n = 811) baPWV groups. During a mean follow‐up of 4.4 years, 95 cardiovascular events occurred (8.1 per 1000 person‐years). In Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors including average home SBP, the highest quartiles of SD_SBP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23‐4.32), CV_SBP (HR, 2.89; 95%CI, 1.59‐5.26) and ARV_SBP (HR, 2.55; 95%CI, 1.37‐4.75) were predictive of CVD events compared to the other quartiles in the higher baPWV group. Moreover, 1SD increases in SD_SBP (HR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.13‐1.82), CV_SBP (HR, 1.49; 95%CI, 1.16‐1.90) and ARV_SBP (HR, 1.37; 95%CI, 1.09‐1.73) were also predictive of CVD events. These associations remained even after N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide was added to the models. However, these associations were not observed in the lower baPWV group. We conclude that arterial stiffness contributes to the association between home BP variability and CVD incidence.     

不同联合降压方案对高血压患者血压和脉搏波传导速度的影响

目的探讨不同药物的联合降压治疗方案对高血压患者血压和脉搏波传导速度(PWV)的影响。方法选择2008年1～9月在北京医院心内科门诊就诊的高血压患者66例,其中男性36例,女性30例,年龄50～75岁,平均(60.7±7.5)岁。将研究对象随机分为两组:一组患者采用氨氯地平+复方阿米洛利(A组)治疗,另一组患者采用氨氯地平+替米沙坦(B组)治疗。观察不同的联合降压方案对血压、心率、肱踝动脉PWV(baPWV)、血脂、血糖、肌酐和尿酸的影响。结果两种治疗方案均有良好的降压作用,A组平均收缩压和舒张压由(154.4±12.7)mm Hg和(89.1±7.4)mm Hg分别降至(127.7±11.2)mm Hg和(74.8±8.8)mm Hg(均为P<0.01);B组平均收缩压和舒张压由(155.0±12.9)mm Hg和(90.9±10.1)mm Hg分别降至(128.6±9.9)mm Hg和(77.7±9.0)mm Hg(均为P<0.01)。治疗前和治疗后及两组之间比较,治疗方案对baPWV、心率、血脂、血糖和肌酐无明显影响。B组治疗后尿酸水平由治疗前的(335.8±58.5)μmol/L上升到(361.4±51.3)μmol/L(P=0.017)。结论两种联合治疗方案均有良好的降压作用,对baPWV均无显著影响。     

High blood pressure worsens age-related increases in arterial stiffness evaluated by pulse wave velocity in subjects with lifestyle-related diseases

Objective:   Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and is altered by age and blood pressure. Lifestyle-related diseases are also major risk factors for cardiovascular events and influence arterial stiffness. The goal of this study was to clarify the clinical influence of aging on pulse wave velocity in patients with hypertension, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia.
Methods:   Eight hundred and forty-seven outpatients (480 males, 367 females, mean age 61.5 years) at the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Hypertension in Osaka University Hospital who had lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension ( n  = 720), diabetes ( n  = 228) and dyslipidemia ( n  = 613) were enrolled. We evaluated arterial stiffness as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity.
Results:   After age and systolic blood pressure adjustment, pulse wave velocity was higher in hypertensive patients ( P  = 0.0048), but not in patients with diabetes or dyslipidemia. By single linear regression analysis, pulse wave velocity and age were positively correlated in patients with ( r  = 0.359, P  < 0.0001) and without ( r  = 0.377, P  < 0.0001) hypertension, and the regression coefficients of these two groups were similar. Moreover, these variables were positively correlated with pulse wave velocity in hypertensive patients receiving medication ( r  = 0.324, P  < 0.0001) and without medication ( r  = 0.425, P  < 0.0001), and the regression coefficient with medication (0.033) was lower than that without medication (0.045).
Conclusion   These data suggest that the presence of hypertension worsened the age-related increase in arterial stiffness in patients with lifestyle-related diseases.     

高血压患者脉压、颈动脉内膜中层厚度和颈股动脉脉搏波传导速度的关系

目的探讨高血压患者脉压、颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)与颈股动脉脉搏波传导速度(cfPWV)的关系。方法选择2016年1月至2017年6月期间就诊于福建医科大学附属第一医院全科医学和老年科门诊、住院部的原发性高血压患者469例,正常血压者274人。按2×2设计方法,将所有对象分为高血压组及正常血压组,然后以cfPWV 10 m/s为切点值,分别各自分为cfPWV增高组(cfPWV≥10 m/s)和cfPWV正常组(cfPWV<10 m/s)。再次,以CIMT 1.0 mm为切点,分别各自分为CIMT正常组及CIMT增厚组。最后,以年龄65岁为切点,分别各自分为中青年组(<65岁)及老年组(≥65岁)进行分析。测量所有研究对象的血压并计算脉压。应用Pearson相关分析和多元线性回归分析cfPWV的影响因素。结果与正常血压组比较,高血压患者的cfPWV[(9.56±1.93)比(8.46±1.47)m/s]、脉压[(58.6±13.5)比(49.2±10.3)mm Hg]、CIMT[(0.93±0.18)比(0.82±0.17) mm]升高(均P<0.05)。在高血压人群中,cfPWV增高组的脉压[(66.8±14.1)比(54.1±10.7)mm Hg]、CIMT[(0.98±0.16)比(0.90±0.18)mm]高于cfPWV正常组(均P<0.05);老年组的cfPWV[(10.52±2.11)比(9.00±1.55)m/s]、脉压[(66.1±13.7)比(54.1±11.1)mm Hg]、CIMT[(1.02±0.15)比(0.88±0.17)mm]高于中青年组(均P<0.05)。多元线性回归逐步分析结果显示,脉压(β=0.346)、年龄(β=0.345)、心率(β=0.241)、性别(β=-0.142)、空腹血糖(β=0.096)是所有对象cfPWV的相关因素(均P<0.05);分层分析结果显示,无论哪个年龄段及性别,脉压均是cfPWV的相关因素;而CIMT只在中青年人群中是cfPWV的相关因素。结论脉压是高血压患者cfPWV的相关因素,CIMT只是青中年高血压患者cfPWV的相关因素。     

基于脉搏波传导速度的动脉硬化无创检测方法进展

动脉硬化的早期检查对于心血管疾病的防治有重要作用,无创的检测方法可以使动脉硬化的早期检查具有重要临床意义.脉搏波传导速度作为无创测量动脉硬化的指标,已获得医学界广泛认可.脉搏波传导速度的测量主要有张力测定法、示波法、超声成像法、光电容积描记法、生物阻抗容积描记法、磁共振成像法等方法.本文对这些技术和方法的优缺点及其研究...     

Reference intervals of aortic pulse wave velocity assessed with an oscillometric device in healthy children and adolescents from Argentina

Age-related reference intervals (RIs) of aortic pulse wave velocity (Ao-PWV) obtained from a large healthy population are lacking in South America. The aims of this study were to determine Ao-PWV RIs in a cohort of healthy children and adolescents from Argentina and to generate year-to-year percentile curves.

Ao-PWV was measured in 1000 healthy subjects non-exposed to traditional cardiovascular risk factors (Age: 10–22 y. o., 56% males). First, we evaluated if RIs for males and females were necessaries (correlation and covariate analysis). Second, mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) age-related equations were obtained for cf-PWV, using parametric regression methods based on fractional polynomials. Third, age-specific (year to year) percentiles curves (for all, males and females children and adolescents) were generated using the standard normal distribution. They were, age-specific 1st, 2.5th, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, 97.5th and 99th percentile curves and values.

After covariate analysis (i.e., adjusting by age, jugulum-symphysis distance, body weight and height), specific RIs for males and females of children and adolescents were evidenced as necessaries. The equations were

For all subjects:

Ao-PWV_Mean = 4.98 + 12.86x10^?5 Age³.

Ao-PWV_SD = 0.47 + 21.00x10^?6Age³.

For girls:

Ao-PWV_Mean = 5.07 + 10.23x10^?5Age³.

Ao-PWV_SD = 0.50 + 10.00x10^?6Age³.

For boys:

Ao-PWV_Mean = 4.87 + 15.81x10^?5Age³.

Ao-PWV_SD = 0.46 + 22.34x10^?6Age³.

Our study provides the largest database to-date concerning Ao-PWV in healthy children and adolescents in Argentina. Age-related equations (M and SD values) for Ao-PWV are reported by the first time. Specific RIs and percentiles of Ao-PWV are now available according to age and sex for an Argentinian population.     

Arterial stiffness and contralateral differences in blood pressure: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

A large interarm difference in brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) (≥10 or ≥15 mmHg) is strongly associated with elevated cardiovascular events and mortality. Evidence demonstrating whether such contralateral differences in SBP occur in ankle blood pressure and its association with arterial stiffness is scarce. The aims of this study were to characterize arm and ankle contralateral SBP differences in a sample of community‐dwelling older adults (5077), and to determine whether this difference is associated with arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) between the heart and ankle (haPWV), femoral artery and ankle (faPWV), and brachial artery and ankle (baPWV) in the right and left sides. Prevalence of interarm SBP differences ≥10 and ≥15 mmHg was 5.1% and .7%, respectively; the corresponding prevalence for interankle SBP was 24.9% and 12.0%. Higher BMI and lower ankle‐brachial index (ABI) were significantly correlated with greater interarm SBP differences. Increased age, higher BMI, lower ABI, and greater contralateral differences in haPWV, faPWV, and baPWV were significantly correlated to greater interankle SBP differences. Interankle SBP difference ≥15 mmHg was significantly associated with contralateral differences of >80 cm/s in haPWV (OR = 1.94 [95% CI = 1.52–2.49]), >165 cm/s in faPWV (OR = 1.64 [95% CI = 1.27–2.12]), and >240 cm/s in baPWV (OR = 2.43 [95% CI = 1.94–3.05]). The associations remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, race, BMI, smoking status, and ABI. Compared with interarm differences, interankle differences in SBP are common in older adults. The magnitude of interankle, but not interarm, differences in SBP is associated with various measures of arterial stiffness.     

缬沙坦对高血压患者动态的动脉硬化指数及脉搏波传导速度的影响

目的 研究缬沙坦对高血压患者动态的动脉硬化指数(AASI)及肱踝脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)的影响.方法 选择18例原发性高血压患者(1、2级),入选患者早晨7～9点一次服用缬沙坦80 mg/d进行降压,治疗2周后,不论血压高低,只要患者能耐受均将缬沙坦增至160 mg/d继续治疗8周.所有入选患者,治疗前后均进行门诊血压及24 h动态血压测量,进行空腹血糖和血脂检查及baPWV测定.并根据24 h动态血压计算AASI.结果 与治疗前比较,缬沙坦可降低高血压患者的收缩压[(133±9)mm Hg比(146±10) mm Hg,P＜0.01]、舒张压[(84±8)mm Hg比(93±8)mm Hg,P＜0.01)]及脉压,并降低高血压患者baPWV水平[(1385±132)cm/s比(1450±142) cm/s,P=0.014],AASI较治疗前也有所降低(0.31±0.14比0.34±0.14,P=0.330).结论 缬沙坦160mg/d在降低血压同时,可减慢baPWV,轻度改善动脉弹性功能.     

Relationship between brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity and invasively measured aortic pulse pressure

Although brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) has been widely used as an index of arterial stiffness, no consensus exists about whether baPWV can reflect central aortic stiffness. The authors investigated the association between baPWV and invasively measured aortic pulse pressure (APP) in a total of 109 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.3 ± 11.3 years; 67.9% men). Most patients (91%) had obstructive coronary artery disease, and mean baPWV and APP values were 1535 ± 303 cm/s and 66.8 ± 22.5 mm Hg, respectively. In univariate analysis, there was a significant linear correlation between baPWV and APP (r = .635, P < .001). The correlation between baPWV and APP remained significant even after controlling for potential confounders (β = 0.574, P < .001; R² = .469). Arterial stiffness measured by baPWV showed a strong positive correlation with invasively measured APP, independent of clinical confounders. Therefore, baPWV can be a good marker of central aortic stiffness.     

Risk assessment indicators and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is used for predicting the severity of vascular damage and prognosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in people with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This correlation study aimed to compare the baPWV with other risk indicators for identification of subclinical vascular disease for primary prevention and to determine the clinical utility of baPWV-guided therapy in improving prognosis in high-risk subjects.We included 4881 subjects who underwent voluntary health examination at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan between 2014 and 2019. Participants were categorized into the low-risk (<5%), borderline-risk (5%–7.4%), intermediate-risk (7.5%–19.9%), and high-risk (≥20%) groups based on the 10-year risk for ASCVD. The predictive risk criteria, that is, the metabolic syndrome score, Framingham Risk Score, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and baPWV were compared among these groups. The chief cause of induced responses and the relationships between parameters were identified using principal component analysis. The participants’ ages, body mass index, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, creatinine, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, metabolic syndrome, Framingham Risk Score, and age-related arterial stiffness (vascular age) increased significantly from the low-risk to high-risk groups (P < .001). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased significantly from the low- to high-risk groups (P < .001). The predicted vascular age and actual age differed significantly between the intermediate- and high-risk groups (P < .001). High-density lipoprotein levels plummeted significantly among the 4 groups (P < .001). The right and left baPWV and ankle brachial index differed significantly among the 4 groups (all P < .001) and increased from the low-risk to high-risk groups (P < .001). Carotid Doppler ultrasonography revealed a significant increase in plaque formation (23.5%, 35.4%, 46.3%, and 61.5% for the low-, borderline-, intermediate, and high-risk groups, respectively). The total explanatory variation was 61.9% for 2 principal variation factors (baPWV, 36.8% and creatinine, 25.1%). The vascular age predicted using baPWV greatly exceeded the chronological age. Plaque formation was significant even in the low-risk group, and its frequency increased with the predicted ASCVD risk. Risk indicators and baPWV are useful predictors of ASCVD, which in conjunction with conventional pharmacotherapy could be useful for primary prevention of plaque formation in subjects with cardiovascular comorbidities.     

Forty-eight-hour ambulatory blood pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in hemodialysis patients

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is an important predictor of cardiovascular events in the general population and also in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the general population, cfPWV is strongly associated with age and blood pressure (BP). The best timing and method of BP measurement in HD patients is uncertain. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) have been used to better define the relationship between BP, target organ damage, and outcomes in HD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the possible association between cfPWV, cardiovascular risk factors, single BP measurements, and 48-hour ABPM in chronic HD patients. Thirty-three HD patients (22 men, 11 women) were included. After the end of the mid-week HD session, BP was measured, arterial stiffness was estimated by cfPWV, and 48-hour ABPM was performed. The mean systolic and diastolic BP readings before cfPWV measurement were 136/79 mmn Hg, and the mean 48-hour systolic and diastolic BP readings were 131/76 mm Hg. The mean and range of the cfPWV measurements were 8.31 ± 2.35 m/s and 5.18-16.53 m/s, respectively. Using regression analysis, no association between cfPWV and BP before PWV measurements was found. A statistically significant correlation between cfPWV and 48-hour systolic and diastolic ABPM was found. Using multiple regression analysis (including age, sex, smoking, diabetes, body mass index, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, albumin, phosphorus, calcium, and iPTH) 48-hour systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic ABPM (P < 0.005) still remain significantly associated with cfPWV. Only 48-hour ABPM was associated with cfPWV in HD patients in our study. We found no relationship between cfPWV and other cardiovascular risk factors.     

Association between triglyceride‐glucose index and arterial stiffness reflected by carotid pulse‐wave velocity in stage 1 hypertension and individuals with normal/elevated blood pressure

Evidence of the triglyceride‐glucose (TyG) index as an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in stage 1 hypertension patients is scarce. This study aimed to explore the association between TyG index and arterial stiffness in this population. A total of 1041 individuals from 32 centers with normal/elevated blood pressure (BP, <130/80 mmHg; 345 men (33%); median age, 37 years) and 585 stage 1 hypertension patients (BP ≥130/80 and <140/90 mmHg; 305 men (52%); median age, 47 years) were prospectively enrolled. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring carotid ultrafast pulse‐wave velocity (ufPWV). TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting triglyceride (TG) × fasting blood glucose/2). Patients with a higher TyG index tended to have higher ufPWV. The TyG index was positively associated with ufPWV at the end of systole in stage 1 hypertension patients after adjusting for confounding factors (β for per unit .48), and restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a linear association. Subgroup analyses in terms of age, sex, and body mass index yielded similar results. However, no significant relationship was observed between the TyG index and ufPWV in the population with normal/elevated BP. The fully adjusted β between ufPWV and the TyG index was higher than the TG/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, TG, and pulse pressure. In conclusion, patients with a higher TyG index had greater arterial stiffness, and the TyG index independently and positively correlated with arterial stiffness in stage 1 hypertension patients. The TyG index may provide a simple and reliable marker to monitor arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.     

臂踝脉搏波速度测量的重复性研究

目的评价臂踝脉搏波速度测量的可靠性。方法由两名测量者对23名心血管疾病高危患者和7名健康受试者进行臂踝脉搏波速度的测量。测量分为两阶段，中间间隔2周，每一阶段在同一天上午（8：30～11：00）和下午（13：30～16：00）分别进行测量。结果重复测量方差分析显示，测量者间和测量者内（不同时间）臂踝脉搏波速度无显著性差异。心血管疾病高危患者测量者间和测量者内臂踝脉搏波速度的Pearson相关系数为0．925～0．992（P〈0.01），组内相关系数为0．924-0．992（P〈0．01）；健康受试者测量者间和测量者内臂踝脉搏波速度的Pearson相关系数为0．674-0．974（P〈0．05），组内相关系数为0．672-0．973（P〈0．05）。Bland-Altman图显示，测量者间和测量者内臂踝脉搏波速度有较好的一致性。结论在规范的测量条件下，测量者间和测量者内的臂踝脉搏波速度的重复性好。     

The relationship of endothelial function and arterial stiffness with subclinical target organ damage in essential hypertension

This study aimed to explore whether brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) or the interaction of both parameters are associated with subclinical target organ damage (STOD) indices in patients with essential hypertension. A total of 4618 patients registered from January 2015 to October 2020 were included. baPWV and FMD were measured to evaluate arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Whereas left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), urine albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR), and carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) were obtained as STOD indicators. On multivariable logistic regression analysis with potential confounders, higher quartiles of baPWV and FMD were significantly associated with an increased risk of STOD. In patients <65 years of age, the odds ratio (OR) of LVH, UACR, and CIMT ≥.9 mm for the fourth versus the first quartile of baPWV were 1.765 (1.390–2.240), 2.832 (2.014–3.813), and 3.075 (2.315–4.084), respectively. In interaction analysis, an increase in baPWV shows a progressively higher risk of STOD across the quartiles of FMD. Also, the estimated absolute risks of LVH, UACR, and CIMT ≥.9 mm for the first to fourth quartile of baPWV increased from 1.88 to 2.75, 2.35 to 4.44, and 3.10 to 6.10, respectively, in patients grouped by FMD quartiles. The addition of baPWV to FMD slightly improved risk prediction for STOD. BaPWV and FMD were independently associated with an increased risk of STOD in patients with essential hypertension especially among patients <65 years of age. Patients with elevated baPWV and decreased FMD parameters are at increased risk of STOD.