Relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and cardiovascular risk factors

AIM:To study the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV), cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk scores. METHODS: Physical examination was performed in 232 subjects (aged from 40 to 90 years) in Tianjin Union Medical Center and baPWV was assessed by VBP-9, a PWV device. The subjects were subsequently grouped and the basic clinical data, baPWV and risk scores of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases (ICVD) were compared among groups. RESULTS: With the increase of abnormal metabolic variables, baPWV increased gradually and was higher than in control group (P<0.05). In different groups, body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose, triglyceride (TG) and risk scores of ICVD were significantly different with the increase of abnormal metabolic variables, whereas HDL-c decreased (P<0.05). A significant difference was observed between diabetes group, hypertension group and group with smoking history (P<0.05). Logistic regression of risk factors showed a correlation between age (OR=1.062, 95% CI 1.009-1.118), SBP (OR=1.085, 95% CI 1.032-1.139) and diabetes history (OR=5.650, 95% CI 1.735-18.395). Regression correlation was found between risk scores of ICVD and baPWV (b=0.531; P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Age, SBP and diabetes history are the risk factors for baPWV. Cardiovascular risk factors are correlated with baPWV.