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Association between ankle blood pressure and central arterial wave reflection
T Tarumi1, J Sugawara, H Tanaka
1Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Journal of Human Hypertension
|October 22, 2010
Summary
Central aortic pressure is crucial for cardiovascular health, influenced by arterial wave reflections quantified by augmentation index. This study found ankle blood pressure strongly predicts central augmentation index, independent of brachial measures.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Vascular Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Central aortic pressure is a more relevant cardiovascular disease predictor than brachial measurements.
- Arterial wave reflections, quantified by augmentation index, influence central pressure.
- Understanding factors affecting central augmentation index is critical for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between central augmentation index and arterial blood pressures (BPs) in upper and lower limbs.
- To identify the strongest predictor of central augmentation index among various BP measurements.
- To investigate the independence of this relationship from other BP measures.
Main Methods:
- Studied 833 apparently healthy adults of varying ages.
- Recorded brachial and ankle blood pressures (systolic, mean, diastolic, pulse).
- Utilized partial correlation and stepwise regression analyses to assess associations and independence.
Main Results:
- All recorded blood pressures (brachial and ankle) were significantly associated with carotid augmentation index.
- Ankle mean arterial pressure showed the strongest correlation with carotid augmentation index (r=0.51, P<0.0001).
- Ankle mean arterial pressure remained the strongest independent predictor of carotid augmentation index after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions:
- Ankle blood pressure is strongly associated with the augmentation of central blood pressure.
- This relationship is independent of brachial blood pressure measurements.
- Ankle BP measurements may offer valuable insights into central hemodynamic alterations.
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