P120 DETERMINANTS OF BRACHIAL-ANKLE PULSE WAVE VELOCITY

Abstract

It has been proven that aortic pulse wave velocity (aoPWV) the measure of arterial stiffness is a strong and independent predictor of both cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Beyond the “gold standard” cfPWV brachial-ankle PWV (baPVW) measurement has been accepted for assessing arterial stiffness and endorsed into the position paper of Artery Society as a recommended method. The aim of this study was to define the determinants of baPVW. Patients and Methods: baPVW and ABI was measured with BOSO-ABI system in 188 consecutive adults (98 male, 91 female) at risk of or with manifest CV disease (mean age: 58 years). This oscillometric device is capable to measure blood pressure on both upper and lower extremities simultaneously with four cuff to assess ABI and baPVW, as well. Results: baPVW was significantly correlated with age but this correlation was not as strong as it can be observed with aortic PVW (R = 0.172). Linear backward regression analysis confirmed that age and brachial systolic blood pressure proved to be the main determinants of baPVW. Conclusions: baPVW is a suitable complimentary method for assessing arterial stiffness which can provide useful information regarding not only aortic stiffness but the peripherial arteries.