Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) is a useful indicator of the abdominal aortic distensibility

Abstract

Background: Aortic stiffness is known to be more significant risk marker than peripheral arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocities measuring arterial trees may have different clinical significance according to the arteries involved. Aortic distensibility during a cardiac cycle is one of the direct parameters of the aortic stiffness. This study is designed to demonstrate if the baPWV can predict the aortic distensibility. Methods: For 30 subjects participated in health survey in YangPyeong county in Korea, ultrasonography was done for the abdominal aorta at the level of T12 or L1 and the baPWV was measured as well. Aortic distensibility was defined by the equation of (maximal aortic diameter during systole - minimal aortic diameter during diastole)/minimal aortic diameter diastole*100(%). Results: Mean age was 57.7 ± 12.5 and proportion of female was 17(56.7%). Aortic distensibility is correlated with age(r= -0.507), total cholesterol(r= -0.460), systolic blood pressure(r= -0.458), and mean baPWV(r= -0.703). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, mean baPWV is the only determinant of the aortic distensibility (Rsq=0.495, beta= -0.703, constant=18.3+/-1.9, p=0.0001). Age, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol were independent factors only in a model without baPWV. Conclusion: Brachia-ankle pulse wave velocity is a better indicator of the aortic distensibility than age, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol.