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Association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and progression of coronary artery calcium: a prospective
Jong-Young Lee1, Seungho Ryu2, Sung Ho Lee3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, #108, Pyung Dong, Jongro-Ku, Seoul, 110-746, Republic of Korea. jyleeheart.lee@samsung.com.
Insights
Higher arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is linked to coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression. This association was particularly evident in individuals with higher baseline baPWV values.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the relationship between coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression and arterial stiffness, assessed via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).
- Investigating this association is crucial for understanding cardiovascular disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how the severity of baseline arterial stiffness (baPWV) influences coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression.
- To assess the predictive value of baPWV for CAC progression in a large prospective cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 1600 participants undergoing health screening.
- Baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans for CAC assessment, with baPWV measured at baseline.
- Follow-up CT scans were performed approximately 2.7 years after baseline.
Main Results:
- 1124 subjects (1067 men, mean age 43.6 years) were analyzed; 28.3% showed CAC progression.
- Higher baseline baPWV significantly correlated with CAC progression, especially in the third and fourth quartiles (OR 2.04 and 2.14, respectively).
- This association was also observed in diabetic individuals; however, baseline CAC > 0 predicted progression more strongly than baPWV in those with existing CAC.
Conclusions:
- Increased arterial stiffness, indicated by higher baPWV, is significantly associated with coronary artery calcium progression.
- Baseline baPWV is a valuable indicator for predicting future CAC development, particularly in individuals without baseline CAC.
Background:
Few studies have investigated the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression and arterial stiffness measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). We examined the influence of the severity of baseline baPWV on CAC progression in a large prospective cohort.
Methods:
A total of 1600 subjects who voluntarily participated in a comprehensive health-screening program between March 2010 and December 2013 and had baseline baPWV as well as CAC on baseline and serial follow-up computed tomography performed approximately 2.7 ± 0.5 years apart were enrolled in the study.
Results:
A total of 1124 subjects were included in the analysis (1067 men; mean age, 43.6 ± 5.1 years). An increased CAC score was found in 318 subjects (28.3%) during the follow-up period. Baseline higher baPWV was significantly correlated with CAC progression, especially in subjects with third- and fourth-quartile values (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.15 and OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.34-3.41, respectively) compared with the lowest-quartile values (P for trend <0.001). A similar effect was observed in diabetic subjects. Among the 835 subjects with a baseline CAC score = 0, progression to CAC score >0 was associated with male sex, diabetes, and higher baPWV. However, among the 289 individuals with a baseline CAC score >0, only the presence of CAC itself was predictive of CAC progression.
Conclusions:
Higher arterial stiffness measured by baPWV could be significantly associated with CAC progression.
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