Independent and Joint Effect of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity and Blood Pressure Control on Incident Stroke in Hypertensive Adults

Association between exposure to air pollution and arterial stiffness in participants with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

AIMS

To assess the association of air pollution exposure at different time scales with arterial stiffness in participants with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

METHODS

We measured participants' arterial stiffness with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) from October 2016 to January 2020. Concentrations of air pollutants including fine particles < 2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), inhalable particles < 10 μm aerodynamic diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) measured by fixed ambient air monitoring stations were collected for short- (7-day) and long-term (365-day) exposure assessment. We used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) to analyze and further explored the modification effects between ASCVD and air pollutants.

RESULTS

Seven hundred sixty-five participants were finally included and four hunderd sixty (60.1%) participants had a history of ASCVD. Based on the partial regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) calculated from GEEs using linear regression, each 10 μg/m3 increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with 31.85 cm/s (95% CI, 17.97 to 45.73) and 35.93 cm/s (95% CI, 21.01 to 50.84) increase in baPWV. There was no association between short-term exposure to air pollution and arterial stiffness. Although no significant interaction effect was observed between air pollution and ASCVD, baPWV showed a greater increment in the subgroup without ASCVD.

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposure to air pollution is closely associated with higher arterial stiffness in participants with and without ASCVD. Reducing air pollution exposure is essential in the primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD.

Associations between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and hypertensive retinopathy in treated hypertensive adults: Results from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT)

Although the association between persistent hypertension and the compromise of both micro- and macro-circulatory functions is well recognized, a significant gap in quantitative investigations exploring the interplay between microvascular and macrovascular injuries still exists. In this study, the authors looked into the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and hypertensive retinopathy in treated hypertensive adults. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of treated hypertensive patients with the last follow-up data from the China Stoke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) in 2013. With the use of PWV/ABI instruments, baPWV was automatically measured. The Keith-Wagener-Barker classification was used to determine the diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the connection between baPWV and hypertensive retinopathy were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. The OR curves were created using a multivariable-adjusted restricted cubic spline model to investigate any potential non-linear dose-response relationships between baPWV and hypertensive retinopathy. A total of 8514 (75.5%) of 11,279 participants were diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy. The prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy increased from the bottom quartile of baPWV to the top quartile: quartile 1: 70.7%, quartile 2: 76.1%, quartile 3: 76.7%, quartile 4: 78.4%. After adjusting for potential confounders, baPWV was positively associated with hypertensive retinopathy (OR = 1.05, 95% CI, 1.03-1.07, p < .001). Compared to those in the lowest baPWV quartile, those in the highest baPWV quartile had an odds ratio for hypertensive retinopathy of 1.61 (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.37-1.89, p < .001). Two-piece-wise logistic regression model demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between baPWV and hypertensive retinopathy with an inflection point of 17.1 m/s above which the effect was saturated .

Intensive blood pressure control on arterial stiffness among older patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND

Arterial stiffening increases with age and blood pressure and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the relationship between blood pressure lowering and arterial stiffening is still uncertain, especially in older people. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intensive blood pressure treatment on the progression of arterial stiffness and risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.

METHODS

The Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients (STEP) trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial performed at 42 clinical centers throughout China, and 8511 patients aged 60-80 years with essential hypertension were enrolled and randomly assigned to systolic blood pressure (SBP) target of 110 mmHg to <130 mmHg (intensive treatment) or 130 mmHg to <150 mmHg (standard treatment). Patients underwent repeated examinations of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) at baseline, and the arterial stiffness was evaluated at the 3-year follow-up. A total of 5339 patients who had twice repeated measurements were included in this study. Changes in arterial stiffness between the intensive and standard treatment groups were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the effect of intensive treatment on primary CVD outcomes.

RESULTS

The changes in baPWV were 61.5 cm/s (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49.8-73.2 cm/s) in the intensive treatment group and 98.4 cm/s (95% CI: 86.7-110.1 cm/s) in the standard treatment group ( P <0.001). Intensive treatment significantly delayed the progression of arterial stiffness, with an annual change of 23.1 cm·s -1 ·year -1vs. 36.7 cm·s -1 ·year -1 of baPWV in the intensive and standard treatment groups, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 3.36 years, primary CVD outcomes occurred in 77 (2.9%) patients in the intensive treatment group compared with 93 (3.5%) in the standard treatment group. Intensive treatment resulted in a significantly lower CVD risk in patients aged 70-80 years or with SBP <140 mmHg.

CONCLUSION

Intensive blood pressure control with an SBP target of 110 mmHg to <130 mmHg could delay the progression of arterial stiffness and reduce the risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; No. NCT03015311.

Estimated pulse wave velocity added additional prognostic information in general population: Evidence from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018

Background

As an indicator of arterial stiffness, there is controversy over whether estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) add additional prognostic information other than cardiovascular risk factors or traditional risk estimation model in general population.

Methods

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1999-2018 was analyzed. Cardiovascular risk factors were collected and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was calculated. Using all-cause and cardiovascular mortality as outcomes, Cox and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was performed. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, Harrell's C-statistic and net reclassification index (NRI) analysis were used to assess whether ePWV adds additional predictive value.

Results

The association between ePWV and outcomes was independent of cardiovascular risk factors (HR = 1.23 [95%CI 1.23-1.50] per m/s for all-cause mortality, and 1.52 [1.30-1.78] for cardiovascular mortality) and FRS (1.22 [1.12-1.32] for all-cause mortality, and 1.32 [1.10-1.59] for cardiovascular mortality). Except for ePWV and all-cause mortality adjusted by FRS, a liner association was found between ePWV and outcomes. For predictive value, the area under ROC and C-index of the model added with ePWV was higher than the one with FRS or risk factors alone (P < 0.01). The elevated ePWV upgraded 1338456 subjects from high-intermediate to high FRS category, and NRI was 3.61 % and 2.62 % for all-cause and cardiovascular deaths, respectively (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In general population, the present study demonstrated the association between ePWV and all-cause, cardiovascular mortality is independent of cardiovascular risk factors and traditional risk estimated model. ePWV also added additional information to them in predicting clinical outcomes.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with intracranial artery calcification in acute stroke patients

BACKGROUND

Intracranial artery calcification (IAC) is closely associated with cerebrovascular disease. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a noninvasive method for estimating arterial stiffness, which reflects the stiffness of peripheral arteries. This study aimed to examine the association of baPWV with the presence and degree of IAC in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 143 ischemic stroke subjects were recruited. A head computed tomography (CT) scan was used to assess the presence and severity of IAC. The oscillometric method was used to simultaneously measure bilateral brachial and posterior tibial arterial pulse waveforms and arterial BP. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent relationship between baPWV and IAC.

RESULTS

143 subjects were included in this study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population were classified according to the baPWV quartile. A higher prevalence of IAC was noted across increasing baPWV quartiles (Q1: 53 %, Q2: 69 %, Q3: 86 %, Q4: 94 %, P < 0.001). IAC scores were also increased with elevated ccPWV values (1.60 ± 1.71; 2.56 ± 1.99; 3.44 ± 1.91; 4.64 ± 1.58. P < 0.001). After an additional adjustment for age and hypertension, the odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) for the IAC scores was 1.61 (1.06-2.45; P = 0.025) in the top quartile of baPWV compared with those in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial stiffness as defined by baPWV was positively associated with the degree of IAC in patients with acute ischemic stroke, suggesting the severity of IAC may also be a marker of peripheral or systemic arterial stiffness.

Change in the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Over Time and Risk of First Stroke in Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND

The association between changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time and the risk of stroke remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the relation of eGFR change during the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) with the risk of first stroke during the subsequent post-trial follow-up.

METHODS

A total of 11,742 hypertensive participants with two eGFR measurements (median measure interval, 4.4; interquartile range, 4.2-4.6 years) and without a history of stroke from the CSPPT were included in this analysis.

RESULTS

Over a median post-trial follow-up of 4.4 years, 729 first strokes were identified, of which 635 were ischemic, 88 were hemorrhagic, and 6 were uncertain types of strokes. Compared with those with 1 to <2% per year increase in eGFR (with the lowest stroke risk), those with an increase in eGFR of ≥4% per year had significantly increased risks of first stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-3.50) and first ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 2.14; 95% CI, 1.17-3.90). Similarly, those with a decline in eGFR of ≥5% per year also had significantly increased first stroke (adjusted HR 2.13; 95% CI, 1.37-3.31) and first ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 1.89; 95% CI, 1.19-3.02) risk. However, there was no significant association between eGFR change and first hemorrhagic stroke. A similar result was found when the change in eGFR was quantified as an absolute annual change.

CONCLUSION

In Chinese hypertensive patients, both the decline and increase of eGFR levels were independently associated with the risks of first stroke or first ischemic stroke.

Association between pulse wave velocity and the 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population: A community-based study

Accumulated evidence has shown that carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle PWV well predict cardiovascular events but it is still unclear if the predictability is same or not. In this cross-sectional study based on a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China, a total of 5282 participants without previous coronary heart disease and stroke were enrolled from a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk were calculated by the China-PAR model, and < 5%, 5%-10% and > 10% were defined as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. The average baPWV and cfPWV values were 16.63 ± 3.35 m/s and 8.45 ± 1.78 m/s, respectively. The mean 10-year ASCVD risk was 6.98% (interquartile range: 3.90%-12.01%). The patients with low, intermediate, and high 10-year ASCVD risk accounted for 34.84% (1840), 31.94% (1687),, and 33.23% (1755) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that for every 1 m/s increase in baPWV and cfPWV, the 10-year ASCVD risk increased by 0.60% (95% confidence interval: 0.56%-0.65%, p < .001) and 1.17% (95% confidence interval: 1.09%-1.25%, p < .001), respectively. The diagnostic ability of the baPWV was comparable to the cfPWV (area under the curve: 0.870 [0.860-0.879] vs. 0.871 [0.861-0.881], p = .497). In conclusion, baPWV and cfPWV are positively associated with the 10-year risk of ASCVD in the Chinese community-based population, with a nearly identical association with a high 10-year risk of ASCVD.

Association between baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and short-term risk of first stroke among Chinese hypertensive adults

Little information is available on the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the risk of stroke in Chinese H-type hypertension patients. Therefore, our study aimed to assess this association between baseline baPWV and short-term risk of first stroke and to propose a cutoff value of baPWV that could predict near cerebrovascular events. A total of 9787 hypertension patients without preexisting stroke who underwent baPWV measurement were included. The primary end points were first symptomatic stroke. Secondary end points were first ischemic stroke and first hemorrhagic stroke. During a median follow-up of 20.8 months, there was a total of 138 first strokes including 123 first ischemic strokes and 15 first hemorrhagic strokes. When baPWV was categorized in quartiles, the higher risks of first stroke (HR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.05-2.21) and first ischemic stroke (HR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.03-2.26) were found in participants in quartile 4 (≥21.31 m/s), compared with those in quartile 1-3 (<21.31 m/s). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the best cutoff value of baPWV that could predict first stroke was 21.43 m/s. Higher baPWV (≥21.43 m/s) was significantly associated with increased risk of first stroke (HR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.10-2.32) and first ischemic stroke (HR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08-2.37). In conclusion, higher baPWV levels were associated with an increased risk of first stroke among Chinese H-type hypertensive patients. In addition, a cutoff value of 21.43 m/s of baPWV was proposed that could predict the next two years' cerebrovascular events.

Influence of baseline arterial stiffness on effects of intensive compared with standard blood pressure control: a post hoc analysis of the STEP trial

BACKGROUND

The benefits and risks of intensive versus standard systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment in older patients with arterial stiffness (AS) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the interaction between the baseline AS and SBP treatments on cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

In this post hoc analysis of the Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients (STEP) trial, we involved 6865 participants with complete data regarding baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Patients were categorized by baseline AS status (AS, baPWV ≥ 1800 cm/s; non-AS, baPWV < 1800 cm/s). The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular events. The secondary outcomes were stroke, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), major cardiovascular events (MACE), and all-cause death. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for the outcomes.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 2.69 years, a total of 248 primary outcome events and 81 all-cause deaths occurred. The hazard ratios for the primary outcome were 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54-1.09) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.43-0.92) in the AS and non-AS groups, respectively (P for interaction = 0.43), and that for stroke was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.33-1.02) and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.23-0.99) in the AS and non-AS groups, respectively (P for interaction = 0.68). Effects of intensive SBP treatment on safety outcomes and all-cause death were also similar in the two groups (P for interaction > 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

In the STEP trial, the beneficial effects of intensive SBP treatment were similar among those in the AS group and the non-AS group at baseline.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

STEP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03015311. Registered 2 January 2017.

Nonlinear relationship with saturation effect observed between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and atherosclerosis in a health examination population: a cross-sectional study

Background

The relationships between inflammatory indexes and atherosclerosis as well as those between blood lipid indexes and atherosclerosis have been widely studied, but the relationship between the neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHR) and atherosclerosis had not been investigated until the present study.

Methods

For this cross‐sectional study, we continuously collected data from a health examination population in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017 (N = 1978). The collected data included clinical data, hematological indexes, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (Ba-PWV). Atherosclerosis was defined as Ba-PWV ≥ 1400 cm/s. The relationship between the NHR and atherosclerosis was explored via univariate regression analysis, multivariate regression analysis, smoothing function analysis, and analysis of a threshold saturation effect.

Results

Among 1978 participants, the mean age was 54 years, 1189 participants (60.11%) were male, and 1103 (55.76%) had a history of atherosclerosis. Univariate analysis showed a positive association between the NHR and atherosclerosis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.27, P < 0.01], and this positive association remained significant on multivariate analyses with adjustments for confounding factors (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06–1.24, P < 0.01). Generalized additive model results revealed a non-linear relationship with a saturation effect between the NHR and atherosclerosis, with a threshold at 3.32. At values ≤ 3.32, the NHR was positively associated with atherosclerosis, but the association was not statistically significant for values > 3.32.

Conclusion

A nonlinear relationship with a certain saturation effect was observed between the NHR and atherosclerosis in a health examination population.

Plasma Vitamin E and the Risk of First Stroke in Hypertensive Patients: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background: The association between plasma vitamin E levels and first stroke risk in men and women remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to examine the prospective association between plasma vitamin E and first stroke, and evaluate the effect modifiers for the association, among hypertensive patients. Design: The study sample was drawn from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), which randomized a total of 20,702 hypertensive patients to a double-blind, daily treatment with either 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid or 10 mg enalapril alone. This nested case-control study, including 618 first stroke cases and 618 controls matched for age, sex, treatment group, and study site, was conducted after the completion of the CSPPT. Results: The median follow-up duration was 4.5 years. Among men, a significantly higher risk of first stroke (adjusted OR, 1.67; 95%CI: 1.01, 2.77) was found for those with plasma vitamin E ≥7.1 μg/mL (≥quartile 1) compared with those with plasma vitamin E < 7.1 μg/mL. Subgroup analyses further showed that the association between vitamin E (≥7.1 vs. <7.1 μg/mL) and first stroke in men was significantly stronger in non-drinkers (adjusted OR, 2.64; 95%CI: 1.41, 4.96), compared to current drinkers (adjusted OR, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.43, 1.66, P-interaction = 0.008). However, there was no significant association between plasma vitamin E and first stroke in women (P-interaction between sex and plasma vitamin E = 0.048). Conclusions: Among Chinese hypertensive patients, there was a statistically significant positive association between baseline plasma vitamin E and the risk of first stroke in men, but not in women. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00794885, Identifier: NCT00794885.

Association between remnant cholesterol and arterial stiffness: A secondary analysis based on a cross-sectional study

The relationship between conventional lipid parameters and arterial stiffness (AS) has been verified by previous studies. However, it remains unknown whether non‐conventional lipid parameters have certain predictive effect on AS represented by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Therefore, the study was to explore the relationship between remnant cholesterol (RC) and other non‐conventional lipid parameters and AS in the general population free from cardiovascular disease. The study included 912 participants aged 24–84 years from a medical health checkup center of Murakami Memorial Hospital. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to examine the association between non‐conventional lipid parameters and AS. The results showed that compared with non‐AS group, the AS group had higher RC, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non‐HDL‐C), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), lipoprotein combine index (LCI), atherosclerosis index (AI), triglycerides/HDL‐C (TG/HDL‐C), Castelli's risk index I (CRI‐I) and Castelli's risk index II (CRI‐II). Then, the authors divided participants into two groups by the optimal cutoff point of 23.6 of RC determined by Youden index. The baPWV was significantly higher in higher RC group compared with lower RC group, and RC was positively correlated with baPWV. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that, regarding lower RC as reference, higher RC was independently associated with higher risk of AS, independent of other risk factors (OR = 1.794, 95% CI: 1.267‐2.539, p = .001). The area under the curve of AS predicted by RC was higher than that of other non‐conventional lipid parameters (almost all p < .05). The findings indicated that increased RC was a significant predictor of AS.

Mediation effect of arterial stiffness on ideal cardiovascular health and stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics was associated with stroke, but the causal pathway was poorly investigated. Arterial stiffness was a major factor associated with both ideal CVH metrics and stroke. This study aimed to investigate whether the effect of ideal CVH metrics on stroke was mediated and enhanced by arterial stiffness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 15,297 participants were included in current study. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Causal mediation analyses were used to separate the overall effects of ideal CVH metrics on stroke into indirect effects (mediated by arterial stiffness) and direct effects (mediated through pathways other than arterial stiffness). After a median follow-up of 5.88 years, 324 total stroke events (292 ischemic stroke and 31 hemorrhagic stroke) occurred. Mediation analysis showed 23.94% of the relation between ideal CVH and total stroke was mediated by baPWV (95% confidence interval [CI] of the indirect effect: 0.93-0.95). Further analysis showed the ideal CVH < median combined with baPWV ≥1400 cm/s was associated with the highest risk of total stroke (hazard ratio: 5.62; 95% CI, 3.53-8.96), compared with CVH ≥ median combined with baPWV < 1400 cm/s. Similar results were observed for ischemic stroke, but not for hemorrhagic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial stiffness played a mediating role in the associations between ideal CVH metrics and risk of total and ischemic stroke. Combined ideal CVH metrics and baPWV is a reasonable and useful tool for the assessment and prevention of stroke.

Association Between White Blood Cell Counts and Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Chinese Hypertensive Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Increased arterial stiffness is highly prevalent in patients with hypertension and is associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk. Increased white blood cell (WBC) counts may also be an independent risk factor for arterial stiffness and CV events. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between differential WBC counts and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in hypertensive adults. A total of 14 390 participants were included in the final analysis. A multivariate linear regression model was applied for the correlation analysis of WBC count and baPWV. Higher WBC counts were associated with a greater baPWV: adjusted β = 10 (95% CI, 8-13, P < .001). The same significant association was also found when WBC count was assessed as categories or quartiles. In addition, the effect of differential WBC subtypes, including neutrophil count and lymphocyte count on baPWV, showed the similar results. These findings showed that baPWV has positive associations with differential WBC counts in hypertensive adults.

Hypertension, Arterial Stiffness, and Clinical Outcomes: A Cohort Study of Chinese Community-Based Population

[Figure: see text].

Individual and combined contributions of age-specific and sex-specific pulse pressure and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of age-specific and sex-specific pulse pressure (PP) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) on the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants in the Kailuan study cohort who were ≥20 years old, participated in follow-up assessments and underwent baPWV measurements in 2010-2011, 2012-2013, and 2014-2015 were studied. The participants were allocated to four groups according to their PP and baPWV status, each categorized as high or normal, according to age-specific and sex-specific median values. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the individual and combined effects of PP and baPWV on the incidence of diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

There were 18 619 participants who were followed for 4.27±1.91 years. A total of 877 new cases of diabetes were identified, and the incidence density was 11.03/1000 per year. Using the normal PP and normal baPWV group as the reference group, the multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for diabetes mellitus in the high PP and high baPWV groups were 1.08 (0.93 to 1.25) and 1.64 (1.41 to 1.90), respectively. Compared with the normal PP/baPWV group, the HR and 95% CI for diabetes in the normal PP/high baPWV, the high PP/normal baPWV, and high PP/baPWV groups were 1.66 (1.35 to 2.05), 1.09 (0.86 to 1.37), and 1.74 (1.43 to 2.13), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High baPWV was independently associated with a higher risk of diabetes mellitus, and individuals with both high baPWV and high PP were at a still higher risk of diabetes mellitus.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and cardio-ankle vascular index are associated with future cardiovascular events in a general population: The Nagahama Study

Faster pulse wave velocity (PWV) is known to be associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of this study was to clarify the hypothesis that PWV may be associated with future CVD events even when its time-dependent changes were adjusted. We also investigated a prognostic significance of cardio-ankle vascular index, another index of arterial stiffness. Study participants included 8850 community residents. The repeated measures of the clinical parameters at 5.0 years after the baseline were available for 7249 of the participants. PWV was calculated using the arterial waveforms measured at the brachia and ankles (baPWV). The cardio-ankle vascular index was calculated by estimated pulse transit time from aortic valve to tibial artery. During the 8.53 years follow-up period, we observed 215 cases of CVD. The incidence rate increased linearly with baPWV quartiles (per 10 000 person-years: Q1, 2.7; Q2, 12.6; Q3, 22.5; Q4, 76.2), and the highest quartile was identified as an independent determinant of incident CVD by conventional Cox proportional hazard analysis adjusted for known risk factors [hazard ratio (HR), 4.00; p = .007]. Per unit HR of baPWV (HR, 1.15; p < .001) remained significant in the time-dependent Cox regression analysis including baPWV and other clinical values measured at 5-year after the baseline as time-varying variables (HR, 1.14; p < .001). The cardio-ankle vascular index was also associated with CVD with similar manner though the associations were less clear than that of baPWV. baPWV is a good risk marker for the incidence of CVD.

Stronger association of triglyceride glucose index than the HOMA-IR with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes: a real-world single-centre study

Background

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) has been proposed as a simple and reliable alternative insulin resistance (IR) marker, while the homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) is the most frequently used index. Few studies have evaluated the role of IR assessed by the TyG index and HOMA-IR on arterial stiffness in a type 2 diabetes (T2D) population with a high risk of increased arterial stiffness. We aimed to investigate the association of the TyG index and HOMA-IR with arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.

Methods

We recruited 3185 patients with T2D, who underwent brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness, but without previous cardiovascular disease. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as a baPWV value greater than the 75th percentile (18.15 m/s) in the present study. The TyG index was determined as ln(fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2), and the HOMA-IR was calculated as (fasting insulin [μIU/mL] × fasting glucose [mmol/L])/22.5.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 54.6 ± 12.0 years, and 1954 (61.4%) were men. Seemingly unrelated regression estimation analysis demonstrated that the TyG index had stronger associations with baPWV than the HOMA-IR (all P < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic analyses, each one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a 1.40-fold (95% CI 1.16–1.70, P < 0.001) higher prevalence of increased arterial stiffness, but the prominent association of the HOMA-IR with the prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was not observed. Subgroup analyses showed that a more significant association between the TyG index and the prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was detected in older patients with a longer duration of diabetes and poor glycaemic control (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with the HOMA-IR, the TyG index is independently and more strongly associated with arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-021-01274-x.

Effect of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity Combined with Waist-to-Hip Ratio on Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events

BACKGROUND

Abdominal obesity and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are indicators of atherosclerosis. But few studies have shown the relationship between baPWV combined with waist-hip ratio (WHR) and cardiac-cerebrovascular events (CCVEs).

METHODS

A total of 18944 subjects from Kailuan study were enrolled in this study. Follow-up was conducted three times over 4.82±1.92 years. All the participants were divided into 4 groups according to baPWV and WHR status on baseline: Q1 (normal baPWV, normal WHR), Q2 (normal baPWV, increased WHR), Q3 (increased baPWV, normal WHR) and Q4 (increased baPWV, increased WHR). The incidence and risk factors and further analysis of hypertension subgroups were analyzed.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 88 myocardial infarctions (MI), 278 cerebral ischemic strokes (CI), 285 strokes and 371 CCVEs occurred, with the cumulative incidence of 0.46%, 1.47%, 1.50%, and 1.96%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed the risk of CI, stroke and CCVEs was higher in patients with increased baPWV and increased WHR than in the other three groups, followed by the Q3 group (increased baPWV, normal WHR) and Q2 group (normal baPWV, increased WHR) group (all adjusted P<0.01). Further hypertension subgroups analysis showed similar results, but differences were more significant among hypertensive patients. Accordingly, the combination of baPWV and WHR increased the risk of total CCVEs, especially in hypertensive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

BaPWV and WHR were important risk factors for CCVEs and had synergistic effects. When baPWV increased, WHR may contribute more to the risk of CCVEs in hypertensive patients.

Blood pressure control and progression of arteriosclerosis in hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Using the brachial--ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a biomarker for arteriosclerosis, we studied the effect of blood pressure (BP) and BP control on arteriosclerosis progression.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The community-based longitudinal Kailuan study included 6552 participants [4938 (75.37%) men] with a mean follow-up of 4.62 ± 2.21 years. Hypertension was defined based on the Joint National Committee (JNC7) criteria and the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. All study participants had hypertension and were stratified as follows according to BP at baseline and follow-up: the normal--normal [normal BP (under therapy) at baseline and final follow-up], normal--hypertensive, hypertensive--normal, and hypertensive--hypertensive groups. Using the JNC7-based hypertension definition, the annual baPWV increase was the highest (P < 0.001) in the hypertensive--hypertensive group [17.32 cm/s; 95% confidence interval [CI]:9.7--24.9], followed by the normal--hypertensive group (14.44 cm/s; 95% CI:5.5--23.4), and the hypertensive--normal group (0.88 cm/s; 95% CI: -7.84 to 9.60), with the normal--normal group as the reference group in a multivariable model. The model additionally included parameters, such as age, baseline baPWV, heart rate, BMI, serum glucose concentration, prevalence of antihypertensive treatment and alcohol consumption, heart rate, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Applying the ACC/AHA guidelines and the same multivariable model, the annual baPWV increase was the highest (P < 0.001) in the hypertensive--hypertensive group (43.54 cm/s; 95% CI: 22.54--64.55), followed by the normal--hypertensive group (34.01 cm/s; 95% CI: 10.39--57.62) and the hypertensive--normal group (24.12 cm/s; 95% CI: 1.24--47.00).

CONCLUSION

Lower BP and medical reduction in increased BP were associated with a reduction in the baPWV increase and may delay the progression of arteriosclerosis in hypertensive patients.

Association of Brachial Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity With New Onset Stroke in Hypertensive Patients Aged Less Than 65 With Normal Fasting Glucose Among Chinese Community-Based Population

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown an association of stroke and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). However, due to limitations on total population size and small numbers of stroke cases, lack of power has prevented further detection among subgroups such as age and laboratory testing.

METHODS

A total of 19217 participants including 660 incident stroke patients were pooled in the present study. Participants were divided to 2 groups, aged less than 65 years [56.0 (50.0, 61.0)] and aged 65 years or more [70.0 (67.0, 74.0)].

RESULTS

After adjustment for demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory parameters, the incident stroke was positively associated to baPWV in the group aged less than 65 years (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.28), but not in the older group aged 65 or more. When baPWV was assigned as quartiles, a significant, increased risk of new-onset stroke was found in quartiles 3-4 compared with quartile 1. In addition, the predictive value of baPWV for incident stroke was modified by fasting glucose in participants aged less than 65 years (P-interaction = 0.010). An increase in baPWV was strongly, positively associated to new-onset stroke in the subgroup of normal fasting glucose (< 5.6 mmol/L) (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15 - 1.57), but no effect was seen in the impaired fasting glucose (5.6-7.0 mmol/L) or diabetic fasting glucose (> 7.0 mmol/L) subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased baPWV was significantly associated with new-onset stroke in a hypertensive population aged less than 65 years. Particularly, it is of great importance to monitor baPWV for predicting incident stroke in "relatively healthy" hypertensive patients, i.e. aged less than 65 years with normal fasting glucose.

Effect of the baseline pulse wave velocity on short term and long term blood pressure control in primary hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Arterial stiffness may affect antihypertensive response to antihypertensive treatment. However, sufficient clinical evidence is lacking. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the effect of baseline arterial stiffness measured by the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) on response to short-term and long-term enalapril-based treatment in 3310 hypertensive adults from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Blood pressure (BP) measured at three months (short-term) in 2780 subjects, and the time-average on-treatment BP in 3310 subjects during a median of 4.5-year follow-ups (long-term) were analyzed in the study. After short-term antihypertensive treatment, every 1 m/s increase in baPWV denoted a 7% and 6% decreased chance of achieving systolic BP (SBP) control (odds ratio (OR), 0.93; 95% CI 0.90, 0.96; P < 0.001) and BP control (OR, 0.94; 95% CI 0.91, 0.97; P < 0.001), respectively, after adjustment for age, gender and other variables. After long-term treatment, every 1 m/s increase in baPWV posed an 7% and 6% greater risk of failing to attain SBP control (OR, 0.93; 95% CI 0.90, 0.95; P < 0.001) and BP control (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92, 0.96; P < 0.001), respectively, not regarding for DBP control after both short- and long-term treatment. Higher baseline baPWV significantly decreased SBP reduction both after three months and the median 4.5-year treatment, while increased DBP reduction after the median 4.5-year treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated baseline baPWV significantly decreased BP response to short-and long-term treatment in adults with primary hypertensive. Arterial stiffness improvement may be an essential target to achieve adequate BP control.

Positive association between triglyceride glucose index and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients: the China H-type Hypertension Registry Study

Background

Data are limited on whether TyG index is an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the TyG index and arterial stiffness, and examined whether there were effect modifiers, in hypertensive patients.

Methods

This study included 4718 hypertensive adults, a subset of the China H-type Hypertension Registry Study. The TyG index was calculated as ln[fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

Results

The overall mean TyG index was 8.84. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that TyG index was independently and positively associated with baPWV (β, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 1.20). Consistently, Multiple logistic analyses showed a positive association between TyG index risk of elevated baPWV (> 75th percentile) (odds ratio [OR], 2.12; 95% CI 1.80, 2.50). Analyses using restricted cubic spline confirmed that the associations of TyG index with baPWV and elevated baPWV were linear. Subgroup analyses showed that stronger associations between TyG index and baPWV were detected in men (all P for interaction < 0.05).

Conclusion

TyG index was independently and positively associated with baPWV and elevated baPWV among hypertensive patients, especially in men. The data suggest that TyG index may serve as a simple and effective tool for arterial stiffness risk assessment in daily clinical practice.

Association of self-reported sleep duration and quality with BaPWV levels in hypertensive patients

The association between sleep conditions and arterial stiffness remains inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the relationship of sleep duration and quality with brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) in hypertensive patients. A total of 14,485 hypertensive adults were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Information about sleep duration and quality was obtained via questionnaire. A baPWV level ≥1800 cm/s was defined as indicative of arterial stiffness. Compared with participants with a sleep duration <8 h per day, participants with a sleep duration ≥8 h per day had a significantly higher baPWV level (β = 13.7 cm/s; 95% CI: 3.9, 23.5) and a nonsignificantly higher prevalence of arterial stiffness (39.7% vs. 33.0%; OR, 1.08; 95% CI: 0.99-1.19). Similarly, compared with participants with good or medium sleep quality, participants with poor sleep quality had a significantly higher baPWV level (β = 16.3 cm/s; 95% CI: 0.1, 32.6) and a nonsignificantly greater prevalence of arterial stiffness (36.6% vs. 35.3%; OR, 1.13; 95% CI: 0.97-1.32). When sleep duration and quality were examined jointly, participants with a sleep duration ≥8 h and/or poor sleep quality had a significantly higher baPWV level (β = 14.4 cm/s; 95% CI: 5.3, 23.4) and a greater prevalence of arterial stiffness (38.8% vs. 32.7%; OR, 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.20) than those with a sleep duration <8 h and good/medium sleep quality. In summary, among hypertensive patients, a longer sleep duration (≥8 h per day) and poor sleep quality were associated with higher baPWV levels and a higher prevalence of arterial stiffness.

State of the Art Review: Brachial-Ankle PWV

The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (brachial-ankle PWV), which is measured simply by wrapping pressure cuffs around the four extremities, is a simple marker to assess the stiffness of the medium- to large- sized arteries. The accuracy and reproducibility of its measurement have been confirmed to be acceptable. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, especially advanced age and high blood pressure, are reported to be associated with an increase of the arterial stiffness. Furthermore, arterial stiffness might be involved in a vicious cycle with the development/progression of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Increase in the arterial stiffness is thought to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease via pathophysiological abnormalities induced in the heart, brain, kidney, and also the arteries themselves. A recent independent participant data meta-analysis conducted in Japan demonstrated that the brachial-ankle PWV is a useful marker to predict future cardiovascular events in Japanese subjects without a previous history of cardiovascular disease, independent of the conventional model for the risk assessment. The cutoff point may be 16.0 m/s in individuals with a low risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 18.0 m/s in individuals with a high risk of CVD and subjects with hypertension. In addition, the method of measurement of the brachial-ankle PWV can also be used to calculate the inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference and ankle-brachial pressure index, which are also useful markers for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Association of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and carotid plaque in Chinese hypertensive adults: effect modification by age

We aimed to investigate the association of brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with carotid plaque presence and carotid plaque number in a Chinese hypertensive population. A total of 13,554 hypertensive subjects from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were recruited. Arterial stiffness and carotid plaque were evaluated by baPWV and B-mode ultrasonography, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation of baPWV and carotid plaque presence. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation of baPWV and carotid plaque number. Further interactions between baPWV and carotid plaque presence were examined using subgroup analysis. Continuous baPWV was positively correlated with carotid plaque presence (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07) and carotid plaque number (one- to two-plaque group: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06; three-or-more-plaque group: OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07–1.12). When baPWV was classified into quartiles, with the lowest quartile as reference, the ORs for having one, two, or three or more plaques increased in parallel with the quartiles of baPWV, indicating a dose-dependent effect. In a subgroup analysis, the association of baPWV and carotid plaque presence was more pronounced among younger participants (OR: 1.14 vs. 1.06 and 1.03 for the age groups <60 years, 60 ≤ 70 years, and ≥70 years, respectively, P for interaction <0.001). In a Chinese hypertensive population, baPWV was positively associated with carotid plaque presence and carotid plaque number. A more pronounced positive association between baPWV and carotid plaque presence was observed in younger participants.

Interaction of serum vitamin B12 and folate with MTHFR genotypes on risk of ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the interaction of serum folate and vitamin B₁₂ with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes on the risk of first ischemic stroke and on the efficacy of folic acid treatment in prevention of first ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 20,702 hypertensive adults were randomized to a double-blind treatment of daily enalapril 10 mg and folic acid 0.8 mg or enalapril 10 mg alone. Participants were followed up every 3 months.

RESULTS

Median values of folate and B₁₂ concentrations at baseline were 8.1 ng/mL and 280.2 pmol/L, respectively. Over a median of 4.5 years, among those not receiving folic acid, participants with baseline serum B₁₂ or serum folate above the median had a significantly lower risk of first ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.96), especially in those with MTHFR 677 CC genotype (wild-type) (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.31-0.78). Folic acid treatment significantly reduced the risk of first ischemic stroke in participants with both folate and B₁₂ below the median (2.3% in enalapril-folic acid group vs 3.6% in enalapril-only group; HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46-0.86), particularly in MTHFR 677 CC carriers (1.6% vs 4.9%; HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.55). However, TT homozygotes responded better with both folate and B₁₂ levels above the median (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.10-0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of first ischemic stroke was significantly higher in hypertensive patients with low levels of both folate and B₁₂. Effect of folic acid treatment was greatest in patients with low folate and B₁₂ with the CC genotype, and with high folate and B₁₂ with the TT genotype.

Effect of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity combined with blood pressure on cardio-cerebrovascular events

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) combined with blood pressure (BP) on cardio-cerebrovascular events. Participants who received health examinations during the periods 2010-2011, 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 were recruited. The participants were divided into four groups according to their BP and baPWV levels as follows: Normotension + low baPWV, normotension + high baPWV, hypertension + low baPWV, and hypertension + high baPWV. The cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular events was calculated using life-table analysis, and the associations of BP and baPWV with cardio-cerebrovascular events were analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to calculate the predictive values of baPWV combined with BP, baPWV alone or BP alone for cardio-cerebrovascular events by comparing their area under the curve (AUC) using the normal approximation method. There were 20,310 participants with a mean age of 50.13±0.09 years in the present study, including 13,240 males. A total of 278 participants developed a cardio-cerebrovascular event after a mean follow-up period of 3.34±1.82 years. The cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular events in the normotension + low baPWV, normotension + high baPWV, hypertension + low baPWV and hypertension + high baPWV groups was 0.2, 0.9, 0.8 and 3.1%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that compared with the normotension + low baPWV group, the risks of cardio-cerebrovascular events in the normotension + high baPWV, hypertension + low baPWV and hypertension + high baPWV groups were increased after adjusting for confounding factors, and their hazard ratios (95% CI) were 4.18 (2.23-7.83), 3.00 (1.39-6.47) and 9.34 (5.14-16.96), respectively. The AUC values for the predictive values of baPWV combined with BP, baPWV alone and BP alone on cardio-cerebrovascular events were calculated to be 0.744, 0.677 and 0.698, respectively. In conclusion, high baPWV accompanied by hypertension could increase the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events. The predictive value of baPWV combined with BP on cardio-cerebrovascular events is superior compared with that of either baPWV or BP alone.

Positive association between baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and the risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients

Background

There is no clearly defined temporal relationship between arterial stiffness and diabetes. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between baseline brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the risk of new-onset diabetes during follow-up, and examined whether there were effect modifiers, in hypertensive patients.

Methods

We included 2429 hypertensive patients with all the pertinent data but without diabetes at the baseline, who were part of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), a randomized, double-blind, actively controlled trial conducted in 32 communities in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces in China. The primary outcome was new-onset diabetes, defined as physician-diagnosed diabetes or use of glucose-lowering drugs during follow-up, or fasting glucose (FG) ≥ 126.0 mg/dL at the exit visit.

Results

During a median follow-up duration of 4.5 years, 287 (11.8%) participants developed diabetes. There was a significant positive association between baseline baPWV and the risk of new-onset diabetes (per SD increment; OR, 1.33; 95% CI 1.13, 1.56). Consistently, when baPWV was assessed as quartiles, a significantly higher risk of new-onset diabetes was found in participants in quartiles 2–4 (≥ 15.9 m/s; OR, 1.80; 95% CI 1.22, 2.65) compared with those in quartile 1 (< 15.9 m/s). The positive association was consistent in participants with (per SD increment; OR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.06, 1.56) or without (per SD increment; OR, 1.40; 95% CI 1.15, 1.71) impaired fasting glucose (IFG, FG ≥ 100.8 and < 126.0 mg/dL, P-interaction = 0.486).

Conclusions

In this sample of hypertensive patients, we found a significant positive association between baseline baPWV and the risk of new-onset diabetes.

Clinical trial registration Trial registration: NCT00794885 (clinicaltrials.gov). Retrospectively registered November 20, 2008

Associations between Blood Pressure Indices and Brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Treated Hypertensive Adults: results from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT)

Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), as a marker of arterial stiffness, has been demonstrated to be associated with blood pressure (BP) and onset of hypertension. However, little information is available on the associations between baPWV and BP indices [systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP)] in treated hypertensive patients. We aimed to assess the associations between BP indices and baPWV. In this cross-sectional study, 14,598 hypertensive patients from China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) at the exit visit of the trial were analyzed. Elevated baPWV was defined as ≥18.3 m/s. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of BP indices with baPWV and elevated baPWV. Moreover, the smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) was conducted. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that continuous SBP, DBP, PP and MAP were independently and positively associated with baPWV (β = 0.081, 0.084, 0.078 and 0.115, respectively, all P < 0.001). Compared with controlled SBP group (<140 mm Hg), uncontrolled SBP (≥140 mm Hg) was significantly associated with higher baPWV [β = 2.234, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.137–2.332]. Similarly, compared with controlled DBP group (<90 mm Hg), uncontrolled DBP (≥90 mm Hg) was significantly associated with higher baPWV (β = 1.466, 95%CI: 1.341–1.590). Multiple logistic analyses also showed that SBP, DBP, PP and MAP were significantly and positively associated with elevated baPWV (OR = 1.056, 1.049, 1.052, and 1.075, respectively, all P < 0.001). The fully-adjusted smooth curve fitting presented a linear association between BP indices with baPWV. In conclusion, among treated hypertensive patients, SBP, DBP, PP and MAP levels were independently and positively associated with baPWV and elevated baPWV, suggesting that baPWV might be a way to predict uncontrolled BP.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, cardio-ankle vascular index, and prognosis

Background

Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) are indices of arterial stiffness, and several studies have used these indices. However, there is no comprehensive review of these parameters in the prognostic significance.

Methods

The aim of this study was to review the articles exploring the prognostic significance of these parameters. Articles demonstrating independent significance after multivariate analysis on the Cox proportional hazards model were defined as “successful.” The success rate was compared using Fisher’s exact test. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction.

Results

The success rate of the baPWV articles (65.7% [46/70]) tended to be higher than that of the CAVI articles (40.0% [6/15]; P=0.083). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that log (number of patients) (OR 11.20, 95% CI 2.45–51.70, P=0.002) and dialysis population (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.94, P=0.039) were positive and negative independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction, respectively. In addition, after redefining two studies as the absence of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) exclusion, baPWV (OR 3.36, 95% CI 0.86–13.20, P=0.083) and the existence of exclusion criteria of ASO (OR 3.08, 95% CI 0.96–9.93, P=0.060) exhibited statistical tendency in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the number of study participants and dialysis population were the independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction. This study also showed the importance of exclusion criteria of ASO when using these indices. In addition, a prospective large-scale study to confirm the superiority in the prognostic prediction of these indices is warranted.

Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity is Associated with the Risk of New Carotid Plaque Formation: Data from a Chinese Community-based Cohort

Artery stiffness is an independent marker for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, whether the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) is related to new carotid plaque formation is unresolved. This study aimed to investigate the association between baseline ba-PWV and new carotid plaque formation in a Chinese community-based population without carotid plaques at baseline. This study population consisted of a total of 738 participants from an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China. After a mean 2.3-year follow-up, the incidence of carotid plaques were 21.2% and 36.5% in the groups with ba-PWV < 1,400 cm/s and ≥1,400 cm/s, respectively. Compared with baseline ba-PWV < 1,400 cm/s group, ba-PWV ≥ 1,400 cm/s group was significantly associated with the incidence of new carotid plaque formation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.50–3.03, P < 0.01), even after adjusting for common risk factors (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.02–2.25, P = 0.04). Furthermore, there was a strong relationship between baseline ba-PWV and carotid plaque formation in subjects with ba-PWV < 1,400 cm/s, but no such relationship was found in subjects with baseline ba-PWV ≥ 1,400 cm/s. In conclusion, this study suggests that baseline ba-PWV is independently associated with the risk of carotid plaque formation in a Chinese community-based population.

Association between serum total homocysteine and arterial stiffness in adults: a community-based study

Both increased arterial stiffness and higher total homocysteine (tHcy) are associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between tHcy and arterial stiffness is still inconclusive. The authors aimed to test the relationship of tHcy with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and examine the possible effect modifiers in adults. A study was conducted from July to September 2016 in Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 16 644 participants were enrolled in the final analysis. Increased arterial stiffness is defined as a cfPWV ≥10 m/s. Overall, there was a positive association between tHcy and cfPWV levels (per 5-μmol/L tHcy increase: β = 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.13) and increased arterial stiffness (per 5-μmol/L tHcy increase: odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.14). Compared with participants with tHcy <10 μmol/L, the significantly higher cfPWV levels were observed in those with tHcy ≥15 μmol/L (β = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.28-0.47). Accordingly, a higher prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was found in patients with tHcy10 to <15 μmol/L (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.33) and tHcy ≥15 μmol/L (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.32-1.71) as compared with participants with tHcy <10 μmol/L. Furthermore, the stronger positive association was found in participants who were older (≥60 years, P for interaction = .008), had low body mass index (<25 kg/m² , P for interaction = .026), high systolic blood pressure levels (≥145 mm Hg [median], P for interaction = .048), or diabetes mellitus (P for interaction = .045). The present study demonstrated that serum tHcy concentrations were positively associated with cfPWV and the prevalence of increased arterial stiffness. These results suggest that the cardiovascular effects of tHcy may partly be mediated through arterial stiffness.

MTHFR Gene and Serum Folate Interaction on Serum Homocysteine Lowering: Prospect for Precision Folic Acid Treatment

OBJECTIVE

This post hoc analysis of the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial) assessed the individual variation in total homocysteine (tHcy)-lowering response after an average 4.5 years of 0.8 mg daily folic acid therapy in Chinese hypertensive adults and evaluated effect modification by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes and serum folate levels.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This analysis included 16 413 participants from the CSPPT, who were randomly assigned to 2 double-blind treatment groups: either 10-mg enalapril+0.8-mg folic acid or 10-mg enalapril, daily and had individual measurements of serum folate and tHcy levels at baseline and exit visits and MTHFR C677T genotypes. Mean baseline tHcy levels were comparable between the 2 treatment groups (14.5±8.5 versus 14.4±8.1 μmol/L; P=0.561). After 4.5 years of treatment, mean tHcy levels were reduced to 12.7±6.1 μmol/L in the enalapril+folic acid group, but almost stayed the same in the enalapril group (14.4±7.9 μmol/L, group difference: 1.61 μmol/L; 11% reduction). More importantly, tHcy lowering varied by MTHFR genotypes and serum folate levels. Compared with CC and CT genotypes, participants with the TT genotype had a more prominent L-shaped curve between tHcy and serum folate levels and required higher folate levels (at least 15 ng/mL) to eliminate the differences in tHcy by genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CC or CT, tHcy in the TT group manifested a heightened L-shaped curve from low to high folate levels, but this difference in tHcy by genotype was eliminated when plasma folate levels reach ≈15 ng/mL or higher. Our data raised the prospect to tailor folic acid therapy according to individual MTHFR C677T genotype and folate status.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00794885.

Gender-specific associations of skeletal muscle mass and arterial stiffness among peritoneal dialysis patients

Decreased skeletal muscle has been identified as a relevant factor for arterial stiffness but has not been thoroughly investigated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle and arterial stiffness in PD patients. A cross-sectional study of 658 prevalent PD patients with a mean brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) of 1714 (±501) cm/s and mean skeletal muscle mass of 26.6 (±5.4) kg was performed. Skeletal muscle mass level was significantly higher in males than in females. When examining skeletal muscle mass as a continuous variable, skeletal muscle mass was significantly associated with baPWV in fully adjusted linear regression models in total patients [standardized coefficients (β), −0.181; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), −0.276 to −0.056; P = 0.003] or female patients (β, −0.119; 95% CI, −0.350 to −0.015; P = 0.03) but not in male patients (β, −0.117; 95% CI, −0.300 to 0.011; P = 0.07). Furthermore, in females, a significant association between the middle or highest tertile of skeletal muscle mass and baPWV was found in fully adjusted models (β, −0.123; 95% CI, −0.204 to −0.008; P = 0.03; β, −0.140; 95% CI, −0.228 to −0.016; P = 0.02, respectively). In conclusion, decreased skeletal muscle mass was independently associated with increased baPWV in PD patients, and this association was significant in females but not in males.

Small infrarenal aortic diameter associated with lower-extremity peripheral artery disease in Chinese hypertensive adults

Several studies suggest that infrarenal aortic diameter is associated with lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (LE-PAD). However, data regarding the associations between infrarenal aortic diameter and LE-PAD are limited, especially in large sample populations and Asian or Chinese populations. Our analysis included 17279 Chinese hypertensive adults comprising 6590 men and 10689 women with a mean age of 64.74 ± 7.41 years. Participants were selected from 22693 candidates from two large population-based cohort-studies. The primary noninvasive test for diagnosis of LE-PAD is the ankle–brachial index (ABI) at rest and typically an ABI ≤ 0.90 is used to define LE-PAD. The prevalence of LE-PAD was found to significantly decrease as the aortic diameter increased according to the tertile of the aortic diameter. LE-PAD was significantly more prevalent in the lowest tertile (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.29–1.94, p < 0.001) and similarly prevalent in the highest tertile (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.73–1.16, p = 0.49) when compared with the median tertile. No significant interactions between the aortic diameter and any of the stratified variables were found (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, Small aortic diameter (as opposed to large aortic diameter) is significantly associated with LE-PAD in Chinese hypertensive adults.

Homocysteine and all-cause mortality in hypertensive adults without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions: Effect modification by MTHFR C677T polymorphism

BACKGROUND

Previous studies support an association between elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and increased all-cause mortality. However, few prospective studies have examined this association in hypertensive patients, and/or tested any effect modification by the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. Serum tHcy and folate were measured at baseline. Individual MTHFR C677T genotype (CC, CT, and TT) was determined. Evidence for death included death certificates or home visits. Cumulative hazards of all-cause mortality by tHcy quartiles were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and group differences were compared by log-rank tests. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by Cox proportional-hazard regression models, adjusting for age, sex, baseline folate, vitamin B12, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking and alcohol drinking status, study center, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, creatinine, and treatment group. Potential effect modification by the MTHFR genotype on the relationship between tHcy and all-cause mortality was tested.

RESULTS

The analyses included 20,424 hypertensive patients (41% males) without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke. Baseline mean age (SD) was 60 ± 7.5 years and mean (SD) serum tHcy was 14.5 ± 8.4 μmol/L. After a mean follow-up period of 4.5 years, there were 612 (3%) all-cause deaths. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed a graded relationship between tHcy quartiles and all-cause mortality. The HRs, using the lowest quartile as the reference, were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.5 in Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. A linear trend test, using natural log-transformed tHcy, resulted in an HR of 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.2-1.9, P < .001) after adjustment for lifestyle and health-related variables. Whereas the MTHFR genotype alone had little effect on mortality, it significantly modified the tHcy-mortality association, which was much stronger in the CC/CT genotype than in the TT genotype (P for interaction < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Among Chinese hypertensive patients without cardiovascular comorbidities, elevated tHcy was a significant risk marker for death from all causes, and the association was subject to effect modification by MTHFR genotypes. If confirmed that tHcy and MTHFR genotypes may serve as useful biomarkers for mortality risk assessment and targeted intervention.

Increased Aortic Calcification Is Associated With Arterial Stiffness Progression in Multiethnic Middle-Aged Men

Arterial stiffness is established as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective was to prospectively evaluate association of aortic calcification burden with progression of arterial stiffness in population-based samples of healthy middle-aged men from ERA JUMP cohort (Electron-Beam Computed Tomography and Risk Factor Assessment in Japanese and US Men in the Post-World War II Birth Cohort). Men (n=635) aged 40 to 49 years (207 white American, 45 black American, 142 Japanese American, and 241 Japanese in Japan) were examined at baseline and 4 to 7 years later. Aortic calcification was evaluated from level of aortic arch to iliac bifurcation. Arterial stiffness progression was measured as annual change in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Multivariable-adjusted general linear models were applied to investigate associations of longitudinal change in aortic calcification with arterial stiffness progression in participants overall, as well as in subgroups without or with prevalent aortic calcification at baseline. Annual change in aortic calcification was positively and significantly associated with arterial stiffness progression. In participants with annual changes in aortic calcium score of ≤0, 1 to 10, 11 to 100, and >100, the adjusted means (SD) for the annual change in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were 3.8 (2.2), 7.2 (2.2), 12.2 (1.8), and 15.6 (2.6) cm/s, respectively (P for trend <0.01) adjusted for baseline aortic calcification, arterial stiffness, and standard cardiovascular risk factors. Arterial stiffness was associated with the incidence of aortic calcification over the follow-up period among participants without aortic calcification (n=297) and with an increase in aortic calcification among participants with prevalent aortic calcification at baseline (n=388). Our findings suggest aortic calcification may be causally linked to arterial stiffness.