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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Non-invasively measured structural and functional arterial characteristics and coronary heart disease risk in middle

Marijke J C A van Trijp1, Willem J W Bos, Yvonne T van der Schouw

  • 1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Atherosclerosis
|September 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) are stronger indicators of cardiovascular risk than augmentation index (AIx) in middle-aged and elderly men. PWV and CIMT better predict coronary heart disease risk compared to AIx.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Arterial Stiffness Measurement
  • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Background:

  • Growing interest in early detection of large artery changes for cardiovascular (CV) epidemiology.
  • Established CV risk markers include pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
  • The prognostic role of augmentation index (AIx) as a CV risk indicator requires further validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between AIx and CV risk.
  • To compare the strength of association of PWV, CIMT, and AIx with CV risk.
  • To evaluate AIx as a potential marker for cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 299 men without cardiovascular disease (mean age 59.2 years).
  • Assessment of cardiovascular risk profile and estimation of 10-year coronary heart disease risk using Framingham risk score (FRS).
  • Measurement of PWV, CIMT, and AIx, with data analyzed using linear regression models.

Main Results:

  • PWV and CIMT demonstrated the strongest associations with FRS, while AIx showed the weakest relation.
  • A standard deviation increase in PWV was associated with a 6.24% increase in 10-year coronary heart disease risk.
  • A standard deviation increase in CIMT was associated with a 6.39% increase, and AIx with a 2.50% increase in 10-year coronary heart disease risk.

Conclusions:

  • Augmentation index (AIx) is associated with cardiovascular risk in middle-aged and elderly men.
  • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) appear to be superior markers of cardiovascular risk compared to AIx.
  • PWV and CIMT provide more robust indicators for predicting coronary heart disease risk.
Abstract

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