Using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to associate arterial stiffness with cardiovascular risks

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Vascular Biology
• Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

• Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is an indicator of cardiovascular health.
• Conventional cardiovascular risk factors are well-established, but their composite impact on early vascular changes requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and established cardiovascular risk factors.
• To determine if baPWV can predict the risk of developing cardiac diastolic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 192 subjects (123 men, 69 women) with low to intermediate cardiovascular risk was studied.
• Multiple and logistic regression models were employed to identify predictors of baPWV and cardiac diastolic dysfunction.
• Key biomarkers including age, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, heart rate, blood urea nitrogen, and high-density lipoprotein were assessed.

Main Results:

• Age, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, serum homocysteine, heart rate, and blood urea nitrogen were significant positive predictors of increased baPWV.
• baPWV was independently associated with an increased risk of cardiac diastolic dysfunction (OR: 1.257 per m/s).
• High-density lipoprotein showed a protective effect, decreasing the risk of diastolic dysfunction (OR: 0.962 per mg/dl).
• A moderate correlation was observed between baPWV and the Framingham 10-year risk score, particularly in women.

Conclusions:

• baPWV serves as a composite marker for early atherosclerotic changes.
• Elevated baPWV is a predictor of diastolic dysfunction development.
• baPWV is a valuable indicator for assessing long-term cardiovascular risk.