Estimated pulse wave velocity and cardiovascular events in Chinese

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Arterial stiffness, measured by estimated pulse-wave velocity (ePWV), is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in Western populations.
• The prognostic value of ePWV in Chinese populations, particularly regarding CVD incidence and all-cause mortality, requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between ePWV and the incidence of CVDs (myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage) and all-cause death in a large Chinese cohort.
• To determine if ePWV independently predicts CVD events and mortality, adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A community-based longitudinal study (Kailuan Study) involving 98,348 participants with biennial clinical examinations.
• Follow-up for a mean of 10.32 years, recording CVD events and all-cause deaths.
• Statistical analysis, including hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• Individuals with ePWV ≥10 m/s exhibited significantly higher incidence of CVDs and all-cause death compared to those with ePWV <10 m/s (P < 0.01).
• Adjusted analysis revealed that ePWV ≥10 m/s increased CVD risk by 32% (HR: 1.32) and all-cause death risk by 28% (HR: 1.28).
• Each 1 m/s increase in ePWV was associated with a 22% increase in CVD risk (HR: 1.22) and a 10% increase in all-cause death risk (HR: 1.10).

Conclusions:

• Elevated ePWV is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality in the Chinese population.
• ePWV serves as a valuable, independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality, beyond traditional risk factors.
• These findings underscore the importance of assessing arterial stiffness using ePWV for cardiovascular risk stratification in Chinese individuals.