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Comparative Study
. 2012 Jan;35(1):26-31.
doi: 10.1002/clc.20999. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

Comparison of aortic and carotid arterial stiffness parameters in patients with verified coronary artery disease

Balázs Gaszner  1 , Zsófia Lenkey, Miklós Illyés, Zsolt Sárszegi, Iván G Horváth, Balázs Magyari, Ferenc Molnár, Attila Kónyi, Attila Cziráki
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of aortic and carotid arterial stiffness parameters in patients with verified coronary artery disease

Balázs Gaszner et al. Clin Cardiol. 2012 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Arterial stiffness parameters are commonly used to determine the development of atherosclerotic disease. The independent predictive value of aortic stiffness has been demonstrated for coronary events.

Hypothesis: The aim of our study was to compare regional and local arterial functional parameters measured by 2 different noninvasive methods in patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD). We also compared and contrasted these stiffness parameters to the coronary SYNTAX score in patients who had undergone coronary angiography.

Methods: In this study, 125 CAD patients were involved, and similar noninvasive measurements were performed on 125 healthy subjects. The regional velocity of the aortic pulse wave (PWVao) was measured by a novel oscillometric device, and the common carotid artery was studied by a Doppler echo-tracking system to determine the local carotid pulse wave velocity (PWVcar). The augmentation index (AIx), which varies proportionately with the resistance of the small arteries, was recorded simultaneously.

Results: In the CAD group, the PWVao and aortic augmentation index (Alxao) values increased significantly (10.1 ± 2.3 m/sec and 34.2% ± 14.6%) compared to the control group (9.6 ± 1.5 m/sec and 30.9% ± 12%; P < 0.05). We observed similar significant increases in the local stiffness parameters (PWVcar and carotid augmentation index [Alxcar]) in patients with verified CAD. Further, we found a strong correlation for PWV and AIx values that were measured with the Arteriograph and those obtained using the echo-tracking method (r = 0.57, P < 0.001 for PWV; and r = 0.65, P < 0.001 for AIx values).

Conclusions: Our results indicate that local and regional arterial stiffness parameters provide similar information on impaired arterial stiffening in patients with verified CAD.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Comparison of regional (aortic) pulse wave velocity (PWVao) in patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD) with age‐ and sex‐matched apparently healthy control subjects. (B) Comparison of regional (aortic) augmentation index (AIxao) in patients with verified CAD with age‐ and sex‐matched apparently healthy control subjects. These measurements were carried out with occlusive, oscillometric device (Arteriograph). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. formula image = CAD group (n = 125). formula image = control group (n = 125). * P < 0.05; +P = 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Comparison of local (carotid) pulse wave velocity (PWVcar) in patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD) with age‐ and sex‐matched apparently healthy control subjects. (B) Comparison of local (carotid) augmentation index (AIxcar) in patients with verified CAD with age and sex‐matched apparently healthy control subjects. These measurements were carried out with Doppler echo‐tracking method. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. formula image = CAD group (n = 35). formula image = control group (n = 35). ** P < 0.01.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Relation between regional (aortic) and local (carotid) pulse wave velocity (PWV) parameters in patient with verified coronary artery disease (CAD). The aortic PWV (PWVao) was measured by the occlusive, oscillometric device (Arteriograph). The carotid PWV (PWVcar) was determined by the Doppler echo‐tracking (e‐tracking) method. (B) Relation between regional (aortic) and local (carotid) augmentation index (AIx) parameters in patient with verified CAD. The aortic AIx (AIxao) was measured by the occlusive, oscillometric device (Arteriograph). The carotid AIx (AIxcar) was determined by the Doppler e‐tracking method.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Relation between (A) coronary SYNTAX score and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and (B) aortic augmentation index (AIxao) in patients with verified coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography. NS = nonsignificant.
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