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Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index are not independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients

M Robustillo-Villarino1, J J Alegre-Sancho1, E Rodilla-Sala2

  • 1Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain.

Clinical Rheumatology
|May 27, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness markers, aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx), were not independently linked to carotid atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This suggests PWV and AIx may not be reliable indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness, measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx), is a known cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, potentially mediated by subclinical atherosclerosis.
  • Understanding the relationship between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis in RA is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether arterial stiffness markers (PWV and AIx) are independently associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (intima-media thickness and plaque) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 194 RA patients without established cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes.
  • Arterial stiffness was assessed using aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) via brachial oscillometry.
  • Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaque using ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • In crude analyses, PWV showed an association with IMT and plaque, but these associations disappeared after adjusting for confounders.
  • Augmentation index (AIx) was not associated with IMT or carotid plaque in either crude or adjusted analyses.
  • Adjusted analyses revealed no independent association between PWV and IMT or plaque in RA patients.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are not independently associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • These findings suggest that PWV and AIx may not serve as reliable independent markers for subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients, despite their known cardiovascular implications.

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessAtherosclerosisRheumatoid arthritis

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