Determinants of augmentation index in young men: the ARYA study
M J C A van Trijp1, W J W Bos, C S P M Uiterwaal
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
In young men, higher augmentation index (AIx) is linked to smoking and LDL cholesterol. This suggests AIx may indicate early cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Vascular Health
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Augmentation index (AIx) reflects arterial wave reflection and is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Limited data exists on AIx in young populations.
- Understanding AIx determinants in youth is crucial for early CVD risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the determinants of augmentation index (AIx) in healthy young men.
- To explore potential early markers for cardiovascular disease risk in a young adult population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 330 healthy males (mean age 28 years) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults (ARYA) study.
- AIx measured using radial applanation tonometry.
- Linear regression models used to analyze associations between AIx and anthropometrics, CVD risk factors, and lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- AIx showed associations with age, height (inverse), heart rate (inverse), and mean arterial pressure.
- After adjusting for these factors, smoking (per pack year) and LDL-cholesterol were significantly associated with AIx.
- Specifically, smoking showed a 0.31% increase in AIx per pack year, and LDL-cholesterol a 1.28% increase per mmol/L.
Conclusions:
- Smoking and elevated LDL-cholesterol are positively related to augmentation index in young adult males.
- These findings suggest AIx can serve as a valuable marker for early vascular damage.
- AIx may be a useful tool for identifying cardiovascular disease risk at a younger age.
Background:
There is an increasing interest in the augmentation index (AIx), the proportion of the central pulse pressure resulting from peripheral arterial wave reflection, which has been related to cardiovascular disease risk and mortality. Most of the data on the AIx have been collected in patients with established cardiovascular disease. In contrast, data in the young are scarce. However, as AIx might be used to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk already at an early age, we aimed to study determinants of AIx in a population of healthy young men.
Materials And Methods:
Three hundred and thirty males (mean age of 28 years) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults study (ARYA-study) were studied in this cross sectional, population-based study. Anthropometrics and risk factors for cardiovascular disease were determined and AIx was estimated by radial applanation tonometry. The data were analysed using linear regression models.
Results:
Augmentation index was associated with age, height (inverse), heart rate (inverse) and mean arterial pressure (positive). After adjustment for these determinants, smoking (beta = 0.31%/pack years, 95% CI [0.06; 0.55]) and LDL-cholesterol (beta = 1.28%/(mmol L(-1)), 95% CI [0.04; 2.51]) were statistically significant related to AIx.
Conclusions:
This study among young adult males shows that smoking and LDL-cholesterol are positively related to AIx. These findings support the view that AIx may be used as a marker for early vascular damage and cardiovascular disease risk.
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