Relationship of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) to carotid and coronary arteriosclerosis

Relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index value and stroke in hypertension patients cardio-ankle vascular index ≧9

BACKGROUNDS

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new index of arteriosclerosis. The present study investigated the relationship between CAVI value and stroke in hypertension patients, especially the prevalence of stroke in patients with CAVI ≧9.

METHODS

735 patients (M/F 293/442) with or without hypertension from Department of Vascular Medicine from 01/01/2012-31/21/2014 were divided into four groups: group 1: non-hypertension patients with CAVI<9, group 2: non-hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9, group 3: hypertension patients with CAVI<9, group 4: hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9. CAVI was measured by VS-1000 apparatus.

RESULTS

Prevalence of stroke and coronary artery disease were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. And the prevalence of stroke and coronary artery disease were also significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3. In addition, the level of right intima-media thickness (RIMT) was significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3 (0.102±0.025 vs 0.094±0.023, p<0.05). Multiple linear regressions showed that CAVI and age were independent associating factors of stroke in all patients (β=0.268, p=0.040; β=0.135, p<0.001; respectively). CAVI was an independent associating factors of stroke in hypertension patients (β=0.398, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of stroke was higher in hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9 than in hypertension patients with CAVI<9, with higher level of right intima-media thickness. CAVI was an independent associating factors of stroke in hypertension patients.

Relationships of the Surface Charge of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) with the Serum LDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis Levels in a Japanese Population: The DOSANCO Health Study

AIM

This study investigated the associations of the surface charge of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with the serum LDL-cholesterol and atherosclerosis levels in a community-based Japanese population.

METHODS

The study had a cross-sectional design and included 409 community residents aged 35-79 years who did not take medications for dyslipidemia. The potential electric charge of LDL and the zeta potential, which indicate the surface charge of LDL, were measured by laser Doppler microelectrophoresis. The correlations of the zeta potential of LDL (-mV) with the serum LDL-cholesterol levels (mg/dL), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels (log-transformed values, mg/L) were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Linear regression models were constructed to examine these associations after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

A total of 201 subjects with correctly stored samples were included in the primary analysis for zeta potential measurement. An inverse correlation was observed between the LDL zeta potential and the serum LDL-cholesterol levels (r=-0.20; p=0.004). This inverse association was observed after adjusting for sex, age, dietary cholesterol intake, smoking status, alcohol intake, body mass index, and the serum levels of the major classes of free fatty acids (standardized β=-6.94; p=0.005). However, the zeta potential of LDL showed almost no association with CAVI or the serum hsCRP levels. Similar patterns were observed in the 208 subjects with compromised samples as well as all the original 409 subjects.

CONCLUSION

A higher electronegative surface charge of LDL was associated with lower serum LDL-cholesterol levels in the general Japanese population.

Association of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Arterial Stiffness and its Metabolomic Profiling in Japanese Community-Dwellers

AIMS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be associated with atherosclerosis. This study focused on upstream changes in the process by which NAFLD leads to atherosclerosis. The study aimed to confirm the association between NAFLD and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis, and explore metabolites involved in both by assessing 94 plasma polar metabolites.

METHODS

A total of 928 Japanese community-dwellers (306 men and 622 women) were included in this study. The association between NAFLD and CAVI was examined using a multivariable regression model adjusted for confounders. Metabolites commonly associated with NAFLD and CAVI were investigated using linear mixed-effects models in which batch numbers of metabolite measurements were used as a random-effects variable, and false discovery rate-adjusted p-values were calculated. To determine the extent to which these metabolites mediated the association between NAFLD and CAVI, mediation analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

NAFLD was positively associated with CAVI (coefficients [95% Confidence intervals (CI)]=0.23 [0.09-0.37]; p=0.001). A total of 10 metabolites were involved in NAFLD and CAVI, namely, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; valine, leucine, and isoleucine), aromatic amino acids (AAAs; tyrosine and tryptophan), alanine, proline, glutamic acid, glycerophosphorylcholine, and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate. Mediation analysis showed that BCAAs mediated more than 20% of the total effect in the association between NAFLD and CAVI.

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD was associated with a marker of atherosclerosis, and several metabolites related to insulin resistance, including BCAAs and AAAs, could be involved in the process by which NAFLD leads to atherosclerosis.

Longitudinal Changes in Arterial Stiffness Associated with Physical Activity Intensity: The Toon Health Study

AIMS

Several studies have revealed an association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and arterial stiffness, which is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, a few studies have considered the difference in the longitudinal effect of its intensity in a large general population. Therefore, we examined the effect of MVPA intensity on longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 1,982 Japanese men and women. Arterial stiffness was measured using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) at baseline and 5-year follow-up. Physical activity was quantified using the Japan Arteriosclerosis Longitudinal Study Physical Activity Questionnaire and categorized into quartiles as MVPA levels. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences at baseline and the rate of changes in CAVI associated with MVPA levels for over 5 years.

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted mean differences in CAVI at baseline were significantly lower in the third (β=-0.019 [95% confidence interval {CI}=-0.033 to -0.005]) and fourth (β=-0.018 [95% CI=-0.035 to -0.001]) quartiles of the MVPA group compared with those in the lowest quartile of MVPA, and the significant effect persisted 5 years later.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study provides evidence to support the existence of a threshold for beneficial levels of MVPA in the prevention of arterial stiffness. Furthermore, this study suggests that exceeding this threshold may exert similar effects on arterial stiffness. These findings suggest that an optimal level of MVPA exists for preventing arterial stiffness, and exceeding this threshold may not engender additional benefits.

The effects of severe periodontitis on arterial stiffness using cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Arterial stiffness, which is a measure of the elasticity of the arteries, is also a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and its measurement is important for evaluating the atherosclerosis process. The purpose of this cross-sectional study to investigate whether severe periodontitis in short-term type 2 diabetes may be associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) values specified for subclinical atherosclerosis risk.

METHODS

A total of 136 subjects, including 69 subjects with short-term type 2 diabetes (35 with severe periodontitis and 34 with periodontally healthy) and 67 systemically healthy subjects (32 with severe periodontitis and 35 with periodontally healthy) were enrolled to this study. Assessment of all participants included in this study in terms of arterial stiffness was determined by CAVI. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TRG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were calculated using standard methods. Full mouth periodontal measurements were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal parameters and mean CAVI values of the groups.

RESULTS

Mean CAVI levels were significantly higher in diabetic and periodontitis group compared to the other study groups (p < .05). In diabetes and periodontitis group, CAVI was showed positive correlations with CRP (r = .337, p = .048) and HbA1c (r = .442, p = .008). Also, positive significant correlations were found with probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) in the periodontitis groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that CAL independently predicted CAVI levels in periodontitis groups (β = .433, p = .019 in diabetes and periodontitis groups and β = .57, p = .001 in systemically healthy and periodontitis group respectively).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study investigating the association between severe periodontitis and CAVI in patients with short-term diabetes. Our findings suggest that severe periodontitis may be an intermediate factor in the pathway between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by increasing the arterial stiffness.

Clinical implications of the cardio-ankle vascular index before and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Arterial stiffness indices are used to assess the material properties of the arterial wall and are associated with cardiovascular events. Aortic stenosis (AS) is commonly caused by degenerative calcification and can be associated with increased arterial stiffness. However, the clinical implications of arterial stiffness indices in AS patients before and after treatment are unknown.

METHODS

This single-center observational study enrolled 150 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe AS. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was measured before and after TAVI. The patients were divided into two groups according to the CAVI values before and after TAVI: high CAVI group and low CAVI group. Patient and echocardiographic data and clinical outcomes, including cardiac death and hospitalization for heart failure (HF), were compared.

RESULTS

The pre- and postprocedural CAVI was 7.90 (6.75-9.30) and 9.65 (8.90-10.65), respectively. In the analyses with preprocedural CAVI, preprocedural echocardiographic aortic valve peak flow velocity was significantly lower in the high CAVI group. No significant differences between the two groups were observed in the occurrence of cardiac death or hospitalization for HF. In the analyses with postprocedural CAVI, B-type natriuretic peptide levels and E/e' ratio after TAVI were significantly higher in the high CAVI group. The composite of cardiac death and hospitalization occurrence for HF was significantly higher in the high CAVI group.

CONCLUSION

CAVI before TAVI is mainly affected by the AS severity, while CAVI after TAVI is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and late cardiac events, which may reflect arterial stiffness.

Aortic Stiffness: A Major Risk Factor for Multimorbidity in the Elderly

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple health conditions in an individual, has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing health services, and this crisis is partly driven by the aging population. Aging is associated with increased aortic stiffness (AoStiff), which in turn is linked with several morbidities frequently affecting and having disastrous consequences for the elderly. These include hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, anemia, ischemic stroke, and dementia. Two or more of these disorders (multimorbidity) often coexist in the same elderly patient and the specific multimorbidity pattern depends on several factors including sex, ethnicity, common morbidity routes, morbidity interactions, and genomics. Regular exercise, salt restriction, statins in patients at high atherosclerotic risk, and stringent blood pressure control are interventions that delay progression of AoStiff and most likely decrease multimorbidity in the elderly.

Cardio-ankle brachial index is associated with prolonged Tp-e interval in patients with arterial hypertension

AIM

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a marker of arterial stiffness, and elevated CAVI values have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and cardiac arrhythmia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Tp-e interval and CAVI, which is associated with cardiac arrhythmia on electrocardiography (ECG).

METHOD

The study included patients with hypertension whose blood pressure values were taken under control with optimal medical treatment. Arterial stiffness and CAVI were measured using the vascular scanning system VaSera VS-1000. The patients were divided into two groups as CAVI<9 and CAVI≥9. Ventricular repolarization markers QT and QTc intervals, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured using 12‑lead ECG.

RESULTS

Tp-e interval (78.7 ± 10.3 vs. 63.6 ± 9.1, p < 0.001), Tp-e/QT ratio (0.018 ± 0.02 vs. 0.015 ± 0.02, p < 0.001), and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.17 ± 0.02 vs. 0.14 ± 0.04, p = 0.025) were statistically significantly higher in the CAVI≥9 group compared to the CAVI<9 group. In the prediction of patients in the CAVI≥9 group, Tp-e interval had an area under the curve value of 0.862 (0.784-0.940, p < 0.001) at the cut-off point of >72.5 msec, indicating a statistically significant result. Left CAVI and right CAVI were found to be significantly correlated with Tp-e interval (r = -0.650, p < 0.001 and r = -0.663, p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We found that elevated CAVI values were associated and positively correlated with prolonged Tp-e interval values in patients with hypertension. Patients with elevated CAVI values should be followed up closely to prevent cardiac arrhythmic events.

Effects of Arterial Stiffness on Cerebral WM Integrity in Older Adults: A Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Magnetization Transfer Saturation Imaging Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Arterial stiffness is reported to be able to cause axonal demyelination or degeneration. The present study aimed to use advanced MR imaging techniques to examine the effect of arterial stiffness on the WM microstructure among older adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Arterial stiffness was measured using the cardio-ankle vascular elasticity index (CAVI). The high-CAVI (mean CAVI ≥ 9 points) and the low-CAVI groups (mean CAVI < 9 points) were created. The neuronal fiber integrity of the WM was evaluated by neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging and magnetization transfer saturation imaging. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and the tracts-of-interest analysis were performed. Specific WM regions (corpus callosum, internal capsule, anterior thalamic radiation, corona radiata, superior longitudinal fasciculus, forceps minor, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus) were selected in the tracts-of-interest analysis.

RESULTS

In Tract-Based Spatial Statistics, the high-CAVI group showed a significantly lower myelin volume fraction value in the broad WM and significantly higher radial diffusivity and isotropic volume fraction values in the corpus callosum, forceps minor, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, internal capsule, corona radiata, and anterior thalamic radiation than the low-CAVI group. In tracts-of-interest analysis using multivariate linear regression, significant associations were found between the mean CAVI and radial diffusivity in the anterior thalamic radiation and the corona radiata; isotropic volume fraction in the anterior thalamic radiation and the corona radiata; and myelin volume fraction in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (P < .05). Additionally, partial correlation coefficients were observed for the significant associations of executive function with radial diffusivity and myelin volume fraction (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial stiffness could be associated with demyelination rather than axonal degeneration.

Sex and Age Differences in the Impact of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components including A Body Shape Index on Arterial Stiffness in the General Population

AIM

We investigated the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, including a body shape index (ABSI), on increased arterial stiffness measured using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) according to sex and age strata.

METHODS

A total of 7127 asymptomatic Korean participants aged 21-90 years (men, 69.4%) were included. Age-sex-specific increased CAVI was defined as having the highest quartile of CAVI in each age group.

RESULTS

The CAVI increased with age and was higher in men. MetS was associated with an increased risk of high CAVI by 1.30 times in men and 1.45 times in women. The risk of high CAVI with an increasing MetS risk score was greater in women. MetS was significantly associated with increased CAVI in men only aged 51-70 years and in women aged ≥ 51 years, and the size of association increased with age (odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 in 51-70 years vs. OR of 2.96 in ≥ 71 years of women). Among MetS components, triglyceride (men, all ages), hypertension (men, 51-70 years; women, ≤ 70 years), glucose intolerance (men, 51-70 years; women, ≥ 51 years), and HDL-cholesterol (women, ≥ 71 years) were associated with increased CAVI.Unlike increased waist circumference (WC), increased ABSI revealed an association with high CAVI. MetS diagnosed with ABSI instead of WC was more significantly associated with increased CAVI in all age-sex groups.

CONCLUSION

The association of MetS and its components with increased CAVI differed with age and sex, which might provide a new insight for the management of MetS risk factors to promote vascular health.

The Correlation of Arterial Stiffness Parameters with Aging and Comorbidity Burden

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PVW-cf), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and CAVI0 (which is a mathematical elaboration of CAVI, theoretically less dependent on blood pressure), age and comorbidity burden. Furthermore, 183 patients (119 female, mean age 67.5 ± 14.3 years) referred to the Geriatric Ward and Outpatient Clinic at Verona University Hospital were included; demographic, clinical and blood analysis data were collected. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), PVW-cf, CAVI and CAVI 0 were obtained. Significant correlations were found between CAVI, CAVI0, PVW-cf and both age (r = 0.698, r = 0.717, r = 0.410, respectively p < 0.001 for all) and CCI, (r = 0.654; r = 0.658; r = 0.448 respectively and p < 0.001 for all), still significant after adjustment for several variables. In a stepwise multiple regression model, considering several variables, CCI was the only predictor of PWV-cf, whereas age and CCI were significant predictors of both CAVI and CAVI 0. In conclusion, all arterial stiffness indexes are associated with CCI and aging; the latter correlation is more evident for CAVI and CAVI 0 than for PVW-cf. Arterial stiffness parameters can complement the characterization of patients affected by a remarkable comorbidity burden across aging; arterial stiffening might mirror the complexity of these individuals.

Are you as old as your arteries? Comparing arterial aging in Japanese and European patient groups using cardio-ankle vascular index

BACKGROUND

Most comparisons of arterial stiffness between ethnic groups focus on pulse wave velocity. This study used the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in European compared to Japanese individuals to investigate how cardiovascular risk factors affect arterial aging across geographic regions.

METHODS

Four hundred and ninety-four European and 1044 Japanese individuals underwent measurements of CAVI, blood pressure and information on cardiovascular risk factors. Both datasets included individuals with 0-5 cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Average CAVI was higher in the Japanese than the European group in every age category, with significant differences up to 75 years for males and 85 for females. The correlation of CAVI with age, controlled for cardiovascular risk factors, was slightly higher in Japanese females (r = 0.594 vs. Europeans r = 0.542) but much higher in European males (r = 0.710 vs. Japanese r = 0.511). There was a significant correlation between CAVI and total cardiovascular risk factors in the Japanese (r = 0.141, P < 0.001) but not the European group. On linear regression, average CAVI was significantly dependent on age, sex, diabetes, BMI, SBP and geographic region. When divided into 'healthy' vs. 'high risk', the healthy group had a steeper correlation with age for Europeans (r = 0.644 vs. Japanese r = 0.472, Fisher's Z P < 0.001), whereas in the high-risk group, both geographic regions had similar correlations.

CONCLUSION

Japanese patient groups had higher arterial stiffness than Europeans, as measured by CAVI, controlling for cardiovascular risk factors. Europeans had greater increases in arterial stiffness with age in healthy individuals, particularly for males. However, cardiovascular risk factors had a greater impact on the Japanese group.

Clinical Applications Measuring Arterial Stiffness: An Expert Consensus for the Application of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this document is to provide clinicians with guidance, using expert consensus, to help summarize evidence and offer practical recommendations.

METHODS

Expert Consensus Documents are intended to provide guidance for clinicians in areas in which there are no clinical practice guidelines, especially for new and evolving tests such as arterial stiffness measurements, until any formal guidelines are released.

RESULTS

This expert consensus document is intended as a source of information for decision-making and to guide clinician-patient discussions in various clinical scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

The goal is to help clinicians and patients make a more informed decision together.

The Association of Arterial Stiffness With Significant Carotid Atherosclerosis and Carotid Plaque Vulnerability

Arterial stiffness and its valid index, the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), have emerged as predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We investigated the relationship of the CAVI with significant carotid stenosis (> 50%) and the related cerebrovascular symptoms or carotid plaque echogenicity, assessed by ultrasound gray-scale median (GSM) score, at baseline and after carotid artery stenting (CAS). We prospectively enrolled 113 patients with carotid stenosis (70-99% for asymptomatic and > 50% for symptomatic participants) eligible for CAS. Age- and sex-matched individuals (n = 38) served as controls (CON). Clinical data, CAVI, and biochemical profile were obtained at baseline. Clinical assessment and CAVI measurement were performed 6 months after CAS. Compared with the CON group, the CAS group had a higher incidence of co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia), higher CAVI values (9.94 ± 2.14 vs 7.85 ± .97 m/sec, P < .001), but a better lipid profile due to increased prescription of statins. The symptomatic CAS subgroup showed higher CAVI ( P < .001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( P = .048), and osteoprotegerin ( P = .002) levels than the asymptomatic one. In multivariate analysis, CAVI at baseline was independently associated with the presence of significant carotid atherosclerosis (β = .695, P < .001), cerebrovascular events (β = .474, P < .001), and GSM score (β = −.275, P = .042). Raised CAVI values were independently associated with significant carotid stenosis and plaque vulnerability.

Thoracic Aorta Diameter Calculation by Artificial Intelligence Can Predict the Degree of Arterial Stiffness

Background: Arterial aging is characterized by decreased vascular function, caused by arterial stiffness (AS), and vascular morphological changes, caused by arterial dilatation. We analyzed the relationship of pre-AS and AS, as assessed by cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI), with arterial diameters (AD) at nine levels, from the aortic sinus to the abdominal aorta, as measured by artificial intelligence (AI) on non-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: Overall, 801 patients who underwent both chest CT scan and arterial elasticity test were enrolled. Nine horizontal diameters of the thoracic aorta (from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva to the abdominal aorta at the celiac axis origin) were measured by AI using CT. Patients were divided into non-AS (mean value of the left and right CAVIs [M.CAVI] < 8), pre-AS (8 ≤ M.CAVI < 9), and AS (M.CAVI ≥ 9) groups. We compared AD differences among groups, analyzed the correlation of age, ADs, and M.CAVI or the mean pressure-independent CAVI (M.CAVI₀), Furthermore, we evaluated the risk predictors and the diagnostic value of the nine ADs for pre-AS and AS. Results: The AD at mid descending aorta (MD) correlated strongest with CAVI (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) or M.CAVI₀ (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). M.CAVI was most affected by the MD AD and by age. An increase in the MD AD independently predicted the occurrence of pre-AS or AS. For MD AD, every 4.37 mm increase caused a 14% increase in the pre-AS and AS risk and a 13% increase in the AS risk. With a cut-off value of 26.95 mm for the MD AD, the area under the curve (AUC) for identifying the risk of AS was 0.743. With a cut-off value of 25.15 mm, the AUC for identifying the risk of the stage after the prophase of AS is 0.739. Conclusions: Aging is associated with an increase in AD and a decrease in arterial elasticity. An increase in AD, particularly at the MD level is an independent predictor of AS development.

Determining the Relationship between Triglycerides and Arterial Stiffness in Cardiovascular Risk Patients Without Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy

Data examining the relationship between arterial stiffness and triglyceride (TG) and other cardiovascular risk factors have remained to be sparse.Of the 5,109 patients with any cardiovascular risk factors in the Cardiovascular Prognostic Coupling Study in Japan (the Coupling Registry), the data of 1,534 patients who had no history of cardiovascular disease and were without low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) -lowering therapy (average age 67.9 ± 12.0 years, 55% males) were analyzed. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). Among the clinical and behavioral cardiovascular risk factors, the significant factors that constituted the CAVI value were smoking, diabetes, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher TG. After adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), only TG (odds ratio [OR] per 1 standard deviation, 1.26 [95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.44]) and diabetes (OR, 1.52 [1.22-1.90]) were found to be associated with a risk of higher CAVI (≥ 9.0). TG (C-statistic, 0.80 [0.78-0.82]; P = 0.040) and diabetes (C-statistic, 0.80 [0.78-0.82]; P = 0.038) significantly improved the discrimination of the risk of a higher CAVI beyond the model that included age, sex, and BMI.TG was associated with a risk of arterial stiffness, and its contribution was slight but almost the same as that of diabetes among patients who had cardiovascular risk without a history of cardiovascular disease and LDL-C-lowering therapy.

Association between measurements of arterial stiffness and target organ damage in a general Spanish population

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the relationship between arterial stiffness and cardiovascular target organ damage (TOD) in the general population. The aim was to analyse the relationship between different measurements of arterial stiffness and TOD, in a general Spanish population without a history of cardiovascular event.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Transversal descriptive study. Through stratified random sampling, a total of 501 individuals were included. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) was measured using a SphygmoCor System®, the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was determined with aVasera VS-1500® and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV)was calculated through a validated equation.

RESULTS

The average age was 55.84 ± 14.26.The percentage of vascular TOD, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and renal TOD was higher in men (p < .001). A positive correlation was obtained between carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and the measurements of vascular function. In the model 1 of the logistic regression analysis, cf-PWV was associated with vascular TOD (OR = 1.15, p = .040), ba-PWV was associated with vascular TOD (OR = 1.20, p = .010) and LVH (OR = 1.12, p = .047).

CONCLUSIONS

The different measurements of arterial stiffness are highly associated with each other. Moreover, cf-PWV and ba-PWV were associated with vascular TOD, and ba-PWV with LVH, although they disappear when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Key Messages There is a strong correlation between the different measurements of vascular structure and function. Carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were positively associated with vascular target organ damage, the latter was also positively associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. This associations disappear when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Predictive value of clinical examination parameters for cardiovascular adverse events during treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) requires management of long-term use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Although cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) caused by off-target effects of TKIs can be life-threatening, the optimal method of monitoring for CAEs has not been established. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the clinical utility of various cardiovascular parameters, including ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI), cardiac ankle vascular index (CAVI), and carotid ultrasonography and electrocardiogram measurements, for monitoring and predicting CAEs in 74 patients with CML receiving TKIs. Based on concordance statistics, the predictive value of established risk factor models was significantly improved by addition of both ABI and CAVI, as follows: model 1 (hypertension, smoking history, and dyslipidemia), 0.680 versus 0.817 (p = 0.041); model 2 (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus), 0.685 vs. 0.830 (p = 0.047); and model 3 (age, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus) 0.737 versus 0.818 (p = 0.044). However, no single cardiovascular parameter independently improved the predictive value of established risk factor models. In conclusion, addition of combined assessment of ABI and CAVI to established risk factors can improve prediction of future CAEs and may enable better clinical management of patients with CML receiving TKIs.

Vascular target organ damage in patients with Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative syndrome: A propensity score analysis

PURPOSE

To assess whether subjects with Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPNs) show differences in the presence of vascular, cardiac or renal target organ damage (TOD) and other vascular function parameters as compared to individuals without this condition.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted. Fifty-seven subjects diagnosed with Ph-MPNs used as cases and 114 subjects without Ph-MPNs as controls. We matched the subjects with and without Ph-MPNs using the propensity scores in a 1:2 ratio using the variables gender, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia and smoking. Vascular, cardiac and renal TOD were established according to the criteria of the European Society of Hypertension and Cardiology guidelines. Arterial stiffness was also assessed using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

RESULTS

Mean age was 63.50±11.70 and 62.90±8.32 years in subjects with and without Ph-MPNs, 32 females (56%) in the first group and 62 (54%) in the second. Subjects with Ph-MPNs have a higher percentage of carotid injury than subjects without Ph-MPNs (35.1% vs. 21.1%) and higher albumin/creatinine ratio. In the logistic regression analysis, subjects with Ph-MPNs had an OR=2.382 (IC95% 1.066-5.323) for carotid injury versus those without haematological disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with Ph-MPNs have twice the risk of by carotid injury than those without haematological disease.

Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index Predicts Post-Discharge Stroke in Patients with Heart Failure

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the significance of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) to predict stroke in patients with heart failure (HF).

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study, which recruited clinical data from a total of 557 patients who had been hospitalized for HF and undergone CAVI. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the accurate cut-off value of CAVI in predicting post-discharge stroke was 9.64. We divided the patients into two groups: the high-CAVI group (HF patients with CAVI ≥ 9.64, n=111, 19.9%) and the low-CAVI group (HF patients with CAVI ＜9.64, n=446, 80.1%). We compared the patients' characteristics and post-discharge prognosis. The primary endpoint was stroke.

RESULTS

The high-CAVI group was older (73.0 vs. 65.5 years old, P＜0.001). Male sex (73.9% vs. 61.4%, P=0.015), coronary artery disease (47.7% vs. 36.1%, P=0.024), and diabetes mellitus (54.1% vs. 37.4%, P=0.001) were more prevalent in the high-CAVI group. In contrast, there was no difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, and prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that post-discharge stroke rate was higher in the high-CAVI group than in the low-CAVI group (log-rank P=0.005). In multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, high CAVI was found to be an independent predictor of stroke, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.599, compared to low CAVI.

CONCLUSION

CAVI independently predicts stroke in patients with HF.

Assessment of Arterial Stiffness with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Patients with Mitral Annular Calcification

Objective

Arterial stiffness is related to arteriolosclerotic diseases and is a marker of adverse cardiovascular events. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is progressive calcium deposition on the posterior and inferior mitral annulus and is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a measurement technique used to estimate the degree of arterial stiffness without effect from blood pressure. The aim of this study is to research arterial stiffness using CAVI in patients with MAC.

Materials and Methods

The study was cross-sectional and observational and included 98 patients with MAC confirmed by echocardiography who referred to the cardiology clinics and met study inclusion criteria and 38 controls without MAC. CAVI measurements were obtained by using the Vascular Screening System VaSera VS-1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Tokyo, Japan) device.

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics, including age, sex, hypertension, coronary artery disease, body surface area, and smoking (P > .05). Left atrial volume index was significantly higher in patients with MAC compared with the control group (P < .001). Right arm CAVI, left arm CAVI, and mean CAVI were significantly higher in the MAC group than the control group (P = .037, P = .005, and P = .014, respectively) and increased with MAC severity. There was a significant positive correlation between mean CAVI and MAC grade (r = 0.278, P = .001). Also, when ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured with CAVI, left and right extremity ABI values were significantly lower in patients with MAC (P = .017 and P = .005, respectively).

Conclusion

CAVI increased in all patients with MAC and associated with increasing grade of calcification.

Clinical significance of increased arterial stiffness associated with atrial fibrillation, according to Framingham risk score

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the elderly. Arterial stiffness may predict the risk of AF, but this relationship has not been fully evaluated. We assessed the association between arterial stiffness and prevalent AF. All subjects who had electrocardiography performed and a cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) calculated during a screening examination between 2010 and 2019 were enrolled. To evaluate the association between increased arterial stiffness and AF, we divided the population according to their Framingham risk score (FRS) into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. A total of 8048 subjects were evaluated. The multivariate analysis revealed that increased arterial stiffness was significantly associated with AF prevalence, even after adjusting cardiovascular risk factors [odds ratio (OR) 1.685, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.908–2.588, p = 0.017]. When we subcategorized the subjects according to their FRS, increased arterial stiffness was significantly associated with AF in the intermediate- and high-risk groups (OR 3.062, 95% CI 1.39-6.740 and OR3.877, 95% CI 1.142-13.167, respectively, BMI adjusted. High arterial stiffness shows a significant association with AF in those with intermediate or high cardiovascular risk, and can be used for further risk stratification of patients.

Relation between fragmented QRS complex and cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects

OBJECTIVES

Stiffness of large arteries has been related to cardiovascular mortality. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel marker of arterial stiffness. Herein, we aimed to study the relationship between fragmented QRS (fQRS) in electrocardiogram and CAVI.

METHODS

Asymptomatic patients with fQRS and without fQRS were enrolled in the study consecutively. The fQRS complexes were analyzed in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Arterial stiffness was assessed by using cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI). It was measured by a VaSera VS-1000 CAVI instrument.

RESULTS

CAVI values of the patients with fQRS was significantly higher compared to those without fQRS (8.625 (7.9-9.2) versus 6.65 (6.7-8.4) p < .001). In a univariate analysis, it was revealed that there was a significant correlation between increased CAVI and fQRS, age, and epicardial fat thickness. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age [95% confidence interval (CI): 1,068-1.214, p < .001] and fQRS [95% (CI): 1.766-23.117, p: 0.005] were the independent determinants of increased CAVI values.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG is a widely and readily available, inexpensive, reproducible technique that can be examined by almost every physician. fQRS values in electrocardiogram may provide a significant predictive value for arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects.

[Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in diagnostics, risk and severity evaluation of magistral vessels lesion in patients with cardio-vascular diseases and type 2 diabetes]

Assesment of arterial stiffness the substantional prognostic factor for evaluating complications of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes, may be performed using different parameters, including cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The main purpose of this review is to analyze data from studies where CAVI is used to test the arterial wall stiffness in magistral vessels. CAVI measurement is non-invasive and performed by portable devices which makes it comfortable for ambulatory use in patients who come for a check-up and also in those who already are hospitalized. It does not require any special knowledge from investigator and the test lasts a couple of minutes long. CAVI does not depend on blood pressure changes and is more specific in structural changes of arterial wall assessment than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). CAVI shows considerable correlation with markers of CVD like atherosclerotic plaques in vessels, diastolic disfunction of left ventricle and angina pectoris. CAVI may be used for early monitoring and assessing the lesions of target organs in patients with atherosclerosis, chronic hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Establishing CAVI as a standart parameter in assessing patients who are at risk of CVD can help to improve complications prevention, reduce mortality and prolong their lifespan.

[Possibilities of application of cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with cerebrovascular diseases]

This publication focuses on the feasibility of using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The authors consider the pathological conditions and risk factors of stroke associated with increased arterial stiffness, methods for its assessment, the advantages of using CAVI, the experience of using CAVI in patients with cardiovascular diseases, in particular, in neurological patients. The complexity of the application of CAVI in the Russian population, promising directions for determining the index in neurology as well as the importance of CAVI borderline indicators are shown. It is emphasized that stroke patients should be screened with a mandatory study of CAVI.

Elevated cardio-ankle vascular index may be related to future stroke risk in Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been proposed as a useful parameter for arteriosclerotic diseases. However, whether it is associated with stroke risk in Japanese subjects remains unclear.

METHODS

In total, 280 Japanese subjects (92 females, 52.6 ± 5 years old) underwent a medical check-up. CAVI value and risk factors for arterial dysfunction were evaluated; the predicted 10-year stroke risk was measured by the Japan Public Health Center study.

RESULTS

Age, sex, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure were significant independent predictors of CAVI. CAVI values were significantly elevated in the high, compared with the medium-low and low predicted risk groups. A significant odds ratio (OR) for the high-risk group was noted in the highest quartile of CAVI values (OR, 14.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.17-68.0), compared with the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders. A significant OR for very high predicted stroke risk was also found for each quartile increase (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.87-4.94) and 1-standard deviation increase (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.52-3.30) in CAVI value.

CONCLUSION

Elevated CAVI values were related to an elevated predicted stroke risk, suggesting that CAVI could be a suitable surrogate marker for finding subjects at an increased risk of first-ever stroke.

New Horizons of Arterial Stiffness Developed Using Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI)

Arterial stiffness is recognized mainly as an indicator of arteriosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), which reflects arterial stiffness from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, was developed in 2004. An important feature of this index is the independency from blood pressure at the time of measurement. A large volume of clinical evidence obtained using CAVI has been reported. CAVI is high in patients with various atherosclerotic diseases including coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease. Most coronary risk factors increase CAVI and their improvement reduces CAVI. Many prospective studies have investigated the association between CAVI and future cardiovascular disease (CVD), and proposed CAVI of 9 as the optimal cut-off value for predicting CVD. Research also shows that CAVI reflects afterload and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure. Furthermore, relatively acute changes in CAVI are observed under various pathophysiological conditions including mental stress, septic shock and congestive heart failure, and in pharmacological studies. CAVI seems to reflect not only structural stiffness but also functional stiffness involved in acute vascular functions. In 2016, Spronck and colleagues proposed a variant index CAVI₀, and claimed that CAVI₀ was truly independent of blood pressure while CAVI was not. This argument was settled, and the independence of CAVI from blood pressure was reaffirmed. In this review, we summarize the recently accumulated evidence of CAVI, focusing on the proposed cut-off values for CVD events, and suggest the development of new horizons of vascular function index using CAVI.

Correlation Between the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Renal Resistive Index in Patients With Essential Hypertension

Background

Renal resistive index (RRI) is a parameter determined by Doppler sonography that reflects renal hemodynamics. Significant relationships connecting increases in the RRI with cardiovascular risk factors and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients have been reported. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a novel marker of arterial stiffness, and the RRI in patients with essential hypertension with the goal of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

The study included 245 patients undergoing treatment for essential hypertension (95 men and 150 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 65 ± 13 years) with no history of cardiovascular disease. The CAVI and RRI were measured using commercial devices, and their relationships to various clinical parameters were examined.

Results

A significant positive correlation was observed between the CAVI and RRI (r = 0.43, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses revealed a value of β of 0.28 (P < 0.001) when CAVI was evaluated as the independent and RRI as the dependent variable. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the CAVI cutoff point for high RRI (> 0.70) was 9.0 with area under the curve of 0.700 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results from this study indicate that the CAVI varies directly with measures of renal vascular hemodynamics (RRI) in patients with essential hypertension. These findings identified a cardiovascular risk value of the CAVI from the perspective of renal hemodynamics as 9.0 in this patient population.

Short-term impact of aged garlic extract on endothelial function in diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Impaired endothelial function portends an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vascular oxidative stress and systemic inflammation play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of vascular disease. Aged garlic extract (AGE) may improve impaired vascular endothelial function, while decreasing the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. We hypothesized that AGE may improve endothelial function, and in this study, we examined this hypothesis to determine whether this can be achieved over a period of 3 months, measured by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), by reducing intracellular oxidant stress and stimulating nitric oxide generation in endothelial cells. We conducted a double-blinded placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects of AGE on CAVI in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 65 individuals (38 men and 27 women) with a mean age of 58.8±11.1 years were enrolled and randomized to the AGE or placebo group in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. An ANOVA model with treatment as the main effect was used to compare changes in CAVI from baseline to follow-up between groups. The primary objective of this study was reduction in CAVI over a 3-month period. In the AGE group, CAVI was reduced on average by 0.71±1.27 vs. a mean reduction of 0.13±0.94 in the placebo group (P=0.04). On the whole, this study demonstrates that AGE has a positive impact on endothelial function in patients with T2DM and may play a role in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Cardio-ankle vascular index is associated with diabetic retinopathy in younger than 70 years patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Caucasian patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 299 T2DM patients admitted to Endocrine Unit of Foggia. DR was diagnosed using the International Clinical Disease Severity Scale of American Academy of Ophthalmology. The VaSera VS-1500N was used to measure CAVI. Because age is the most powerful determinant of arterial stiffness and affects the progression of DR, we divided the whole sample into two subgroups: above (older) and below (younger) 70 years.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 60.4 ± 12.6 years and the mean CAVI value was 8.6 ± 1.7. In the whole population DR was diagnosed in 74 (24.7%) patients. CAVI value was clearly higher in patients with DR (9.5 ± 1.6) than in those without (8.7 ± 1.7) (P = 0.001) although this difference was not any more significant when adjusted by age and gender (P = 0.067). In the multivariate model taking into account several possible confounders, the correlation between DR and CAVI remained significant only in younger subjects. In the same subgroup we found a significant association between the stages of DR and CAVI (p = 0.019 adjusted by age and gender).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that CAVI is significantly higher in younger patients with DR than in those without, with a relationship between the stages of DR and CAVI in the same subgroup. Physicians should pay attention to sub-clinical macroangiopathy in younger T2DM patients who have DR.

Relationships Between the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Pulsatility Index of the Common Carotid Artery in Patients With Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background

Pulsatility index (PI) is a hemodynamic parameter determined using Doppler sonography; it reflects the degree of peripheral vascular resistance. Moreover, researchers have reported significant relationships between an increase in the PI of the common carotid artery (CCA) and ischemic stroke. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the relationships between cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) as a marker of arterial stiffness and the PI of the CCA in patients with cardiovascular risk factors for the primary prevention of ischemic stroke.

Methods

A total of 405 outpatients undergoing treatment for cardiovascular risk factors (152 men and 253 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 64 ± 9 years) with no history of cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke, were enrolled. The CAVI and the PI of the CCA were measured using commercial devices, and their relationships to various clinical parameters were examined.

Results

A significant positive correlation was observed between the CAVI and the PI of the CCA (r = 0.44, P < 0.001). Further, multiple regression analysis revealed that the CAVI (β = 0.19, P < 0.001) was selected as independent factor for PI of the CCA as a subordinate factor. Meanwhile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, as an inflammation marker, and skin autofluorescence, as a marker of advanced glycation end products in the tissues, were selected as independent variables for either the CAVI or the PI of the CCA as a subordinate factor. The receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the cut-off point of the CAVI for high PI of the CCA (> 1.60) as a risk value of stroke incidence by previous report was 9.1 (area under the curve = 0.750, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present results indicate that the CAVI reflects cerebrovascular resistance in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, the risk value of the CAVI for ischemic stroke incidence was considered to be 9.1 in these patients.

Factors affecting longitudinal changes in cardio-ankle vascular index in a large general population: the Nagahama study

BACKGROUND

Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been increasingly used as an index for arterial stiffness. However, the degree of longitudinal changes and factors affecting these changes in CAVI (ΔCAVI) are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to descriptively clarify factors associated with longitudinal ΔCAVI for the precise use of this index in the assessment of arterial stiffness.

METHODS

Study participants comprised 9501 community residents (53.1 ± 13.3 years), with 8004 patients included in the longitudinal analysis. CAVI was calculated by the transient time interval of arterial waveform measured at four extremities.

RESULTS

Factors showing a strong association with baseline CAVI (7.38 ± 1.10) included age (β = 0.586), SBP (β = 0.175), and male sex (β = 0.142), whereas BMI showed an inverse association (β = -0.208) (all P < 0.001). During the 1815 ± 135 days follow-up period, CAVI increased by 0.47 ± 0.68. Multivariate analysis identified age (β = 0.508), male sex (β = 0.089), Brinkman index (β = 0.074), and SBP (β = 0.037) as positive determinants, whereas BMI (β = -0.079) and baseline CAVI (β = -0.590) as inverse determinants for ΔCAVI (all P < 0.001). Further data accumulation is needed to determine a reference value of CAVI due to its large population differences.

CONCLUSION

Several factors were commonly associated with baseline and longitudinal ΔCAVI. These factors should be carefully considered when CAVI is used for the assessment of arterial stiffness.

Comparison of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) and CAVI0 in Large Healthy and Hypertensive Populations

Aim: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) represents the blood pressure-independent arterial stiffness from the origin of the aorta to the ankle. CAVI₀ has been proposed as a variant index. We aimed to clarify the difference between CAVI and CAVI₀ among large populations, and to explore reasons of the difference.

Methods: The subjects were 5,293 Japanese healthy and 3,338 hypertensive people. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed using age, sex, body mass index, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure (Pd) as variables. Sub-group analysis was performed by sex and age. The CAVI values with and without adjustment by reference pressure were also compared.

Results: CAVI had a positive correlation with Pd, while CAVI₀ had a negative correlation with Pd in the healthy population. The CAVI values of the hypertensive group were higher than those of healthy group in both men and women, but the CAVI₀ values in women of the hypertensive group in the 30–39 age group was significantly lower than that of the corresponding healthy group. Differences of CAVI values with or without modification using the reference pressure were 1.09% ± 1.38% for the healthy group and 3.68% ± 1.66% for the hypertensive group.

Conclusion: CAVI showed the expected values, but CAVI₀ showed inexplicable results in the healthy and hypertensive populations. The differences were due to the strong dependency of CAVI₀ on Pd. Differences of CAVI values with or without reference pressure were negligible. These results indicate that CAVI obtained by the VaSera system is appropriate, but CAVI₀ is not.

A body shape index and vascular structure and function in Spanish adults (MARK study): A cross-sectional study

A body shape index (ABSI) has been introduced as a marker of the relationship between body composition and all-cause mortality. However, until now, the relationships between ABSI and vascular structure and function have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of ABSI with vascular structure and function in Spanish adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk. This cross-sectional study analyzed the data of 2354 subjects [age, 35-74 years (median, 62.0 years [range, 56.0-67.0 years]), 61.9% men] enrolled into the MediAte Risk management (MARK) study. ABSI was calculated by using the following formula: ABSI = waist circumference (m)/[body mass index × height (m))]. Vascular function was assessed by measuring cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with the VaSera device and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) by using a validated equation. Vascular structure was assessed by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography. Median value of ABSI was 0.083 (range, 0.081-0.090), mean CAVI was (8.5 ± 1.2), and median IMT was 0.727 (range, 0.672-0.799). The values of ABSI and CAVI were higher in men. After adjusting for confounders, ABSI was positively associated with CAVI, baPWV, and average mean IMT. Thus, for each unit increase in ABSI, CAVI increased by 0.16 units, baPWV by 0.25 m/s, and IMT by 0.033 mm. In the logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of ABSI was > 1 for high CAVI ≥ 9, baPWV ≥ 15 m/s, and IMT ≥ 0.90 mm in the overall subject group, and in the sex- and age-specific (> 62 years, ≤ 62 years) subgroups, after adjusting for confounders. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the ABSI was 0.631 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.608-0.654) for CAVI ≥ 9, and 0.617 (95% CI, 0.593-0.641) for high baPWV ≥ 15 m/s. ABSI showed a positive association with vascular structure and function, independent of other confounders that might influence weight and fat mass distribution in Spanish subjects at intermediate cardiovascular risk.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01428934 (registered: September 2, 2011; last updated: September 8, 2016).

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to fatty infiltration of liver in the absence of significant alcohol intake, use of steatogenic medication, or hereditary disorders. It is a common cause of chronic liver disease with a worldwide estimated prevalence ranging from 6.3% to 33%. The NAFLD is considered a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance and increased oxidative stress are central to pathogenesis of NAFLD, and risk factors include metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, and high fat diet. NAFLD is associated with higher mortality as compared to the general population with cardiovascular disease being the most common cause of death. The NAFLD is associated with a higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis as evidenced by odds of higher coronary artery calcification, higher average and maximum carotid intima-media thickness. It is also associated with stiff arteries as evidenced by higher cardio-ankle vascular index and higher brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Increasing evidence has linked NAFLD with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The NAFLD is associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), more severe CAD, poor coronary collateral development, and higher incidence of coronary events. The NAFLD is also associated with ischemic stroke. Studies have shown that the association between NAFLD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases is independent of shared risk factors.

Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index as a Surrogate Marker of Early Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Koreans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery intima medial thickness (IMT), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are commonly used surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a complement to the baPWV, which is affected by blood pressure. However, it is unclear which marker is the most sensitive predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

METHODS

This was a retrospective non-interventional study that enrolled 219 patients with T2DM. The correlations among IMT, ABI, and CAVI as well as the relationship of these tests to the 10-year ASCVD risk were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 219 patients, 39 (17.8%) had ASCVD. In the non-ASCVD group, CAVI correlated significantly with IMT after adjusting for confounding variables, but ABI was not associated with CAVI or IMT. The analyses after dividing the non-ASCVD group into three subgroups according to the CAVI score (<8, ≥8 and <9, and ≥9) demonstrated the significant increase in the mean IMT, 10-year ASCVD risk and number of metabolic syndrome risk factors, and decrease in the mean ABI in the high-CAVI group. A high CAVI was an independent risk factor in the non-ASCVD group for both a high 10-year ASCVD risk (≥7.5%; odds ratio [OR], 2.42; P<0.001) and atherosclerosis (mean IMT ≥1 mm; OR, 1.53; P=0.007).

CONCLUSION

In Korean patients with T2DM without ASCVD, CAVI was the most sensitive of several surrogate markers for the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Lipid Parameters are Independently Associated with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) in Healthy Japanese Subjects

AIM

To investigate the associations of conventional lipid parameters with arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 23,257 healthy Japanese subjects (12,729 men and 10,528 women, aged 47.1±12.5 years, body mass index (BMI) 22.9±3.4 kg/m2) who underwent health screening between 2004 and 2006 in Japan.

RESULTS

Male subjects had significantly higher BMI, CAVI and triglycerides (TG), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to female subjects. After adjusting for confounders, including gender, age, systolic blood pressure and BMI identified by multiple regression analysis, adjusted CAVI was lower in normolipidemic than in dyslipidemic subjects. Among dyslipidemic subjects, those with hypertriglyceridemia had higher adjusted CAVI. A trend test detected linear relations between adjusted CAVI and all the conventional lipid parameters throughout the entire range of serum levels. After adjusting for confounders, logistic regression models showed that all lipid parameters contributed independently to high CAVI (≥90th percentile). Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis determined reliable cut-off values of 93 mg/dl for TG (area under the curve, AUC= 0.735), 114 mg/dl for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (AUC=0.614) and 63 mg/dl for HDL-C (AUC=0.728) in predicting high CAVI. These cut-off values were confirmed to independently predict high CAVI in a bivariate logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated independent contribution of conventional lipid parameters to CAVI, indicating a possible association of lipid parameters with early vascular damage.

Adiposity measures and arterial stiffness in primary care: the MARK prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

The cardiovascular risk of obesity is potentially increased by arterial stiffness.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship of adiposity measures with arterial stiffness in Caucasian adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk.

SETTING

Six Spanish health centres.

PARTICIPANTS

We enrolled 2354 adults (age range, 35-74 years; mean age, 61.4±7.7 years, 61.9% male).

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study that analyses data from the baseline visit of the improving interMediAte RisK management (MARK) study. The main outcome variables were body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimation (CUN-BAE) body fat percentage and body roundness index (BRI). Vascular function was assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with the VaSera device; brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined using a validated equation.

RESULTS

The mean adiposity measures were a BMI of 29.2±4.4, WHtR of 0.61±0.07, CUN-BAE of 35.7±1.7 and BRI of 5.8±1.7. The mean stiffness measures were a CAVI of 8.8±1.2 and baPWV of 14.9±2.5. In multiple linear regression analyses, all adiposity measures were negatively associated with CAVI and baPWV (p<0.01 for all) after adjustment for possible factors of confusion. The proportion of CAVI variability via the adiposity measures were 5.5% for BMI, 5.8% for CUN-BAE, 3.8% for WHtR and 3.7% for BRI. These were higher among diabetic, obese, younger (≤62 years) and non-hypertensive subjects who had similar activity and sedentary profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Adiposity measures are negatively associated with arterial stiffness measures. The percentage of variation in CAVI explained by its relation to the different measures of adiposity ranges from 5.8% (CUN-BAE) to 3.7% (BRI). In the case of baPWV, it oscillates between 0.7% (CUN-BAE and BMI) and 0.1% (WHtR).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01428934.

Differences in cardio-ankle vascular index in a general Mediterranean population depending on the presence or absence of metabolic cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The main aim of this study is to describe the differences in the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in individuals with metabolic cardiovascular risk factors or a previous history of vascular diseases (WCVRF) compared to healthy individuals (free of risk factors and previous history of vascular diseases; FCVRF) in a general Mediterranean population. The secondary aim is to describe the proportion of CAVI≥9 depending on the cardiovascular risk category in both CVRF groups by sex.

METHODS

The study is a descriptive analysis of 2613 participants randomly selected in the Girona province (Catalonia, Spain).

RESULTS

CAVI mean differences between sexes and age categories in both CVRF groups followed the same pattern, the FCVRF group (men 25.2%; women 14.4%) in turn had a lower prevalence of CAVI≥9 than the WCVRF group (men 57.9%; women 51.8%). The percentage of men and women with CAVI≥9 with low risk was 13.9% and 11.3% in the FCVRF group, and 31.8% and 42.0% in the WCVRF group; with moderate risk, it was 55.8% and 10.0% in the FCVRF group and 60.3% and 49.0% in the WCVRF group.

CONCLUSIONS

In both sexes, FCVRF groups had a lower prevalence of CAVI≥9 as well as lower mean CAVI scores, across all 10 year-age categories from 40 to 69 years, than WCVRF groups. Moreover, CAVI≥9 was frequent in individuals with low and moderate coronary risk in the WCVRF group but also in the FCVRF group. These results suggest that CAVI assessment to detect asymptomatic arteriosclerosis could be a useful tool to improve cardiovascular risk stratification.

The Relationship between Pulse Wave Velocity and Coronary Artery Stenosis and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: a retrospective observational study

Background

Arterial stiffness has been suggested as a valuable predictor of coronary artery stenosis (CAS). However, little data are available on aortic stiffness and CAS in patients who have previously undergone percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of arterial stiffness to CAS in patients with a history of PCI and those without a history of PCI.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 1093 consecutive patients who had undergone coronary angiography (CAG). Arterial stiffness was determined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measured prior to CAG.

Results

In patients without a history of PCI, baPWV significantly increased in patients with CAS compared to that in patients without CAS (p < 0.001). However, among patients with a history of PCI, there was no significant difference in baPWV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that baPWV was an independent risk predictor for CAS in patients without a history of PCI, but not in those with a history of PCI (OR 1.106, 95% CI 1.039–1.177, p = 0.002). In CAS patients without a history of PCI, increased baPWV was significantly associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, multivessel involvement, and anatomical severity.

Conclusions

Prediction of CAS by baPWV is significantly attenuated in patients with a history of PCI.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-017-0476-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arterial stiffness shown by the cardio-ankle vascular index is an important contributor to optic nerve head microcirculation

PROPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were significant correlations between the pulse waveform in the capillary area of the optic nerve head (ONH) microcirculation shown by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and parameters of the systemic condition, especially the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

METHOD

We studied 130 men (ages 60.5 ± 10.9 years) who visited the Vascular Function Section of the Department of Cardiovascular Center of Toho University Sakura Medical Center. We evaluated the skew and blowout time (BOT) - which are parameters of pulse waveform analyses - using LSFG in the capillary area of the ONH for each patient. The CAVI, the E/e' ratio as the measure of diastolic left ventricular function, and the mean intima-media thickness (IMT) were evaluated as systemic parameters. We performed a Pearson's correlation analysis and a multiple regression analysis to determine independent factors for skew and BOT.

RESULTS

Heart rate, spherical refraction, and the CAVI (standard regression = 0.18, t = 2.61, p = 0.01) were revealed as factors contributing independently to the skew by multiple regression analysis. Heart rate, the CAVI (standard regression = -0.27, t = -3.92, p = 0.0002), the urinary albumin concentration, the mean IMT, spherical refraction, body mass index and pulse pressure were revealed as factors contributing independently to the BOT by multiple regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

The CAVI was demonstrated to be an independent factor contributing to both skew and BOT in the capillary area of the ONH. Our findings clarified that large arterial function shown by the CAVI contributes to smooth hemodynamics of microcirculation, shown by LSFG.