Clinical and echocadiographic characteristics according to the ambulatory arterial stiffness index(AASI)

Abstract

Background: AASI is a vascular parameter derived from ABPM. Recently in a prospective study, AASI was reported to be associated with prognosis independently of pulse pressure. But the biological mechanisms are not fully understood. We investigated the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics related to AASI. Method: 120 never treated hypertensive patients who underwent echocardiography and ABPM simultaneously were retrospectively reviewed. AASI was derived by 1 - regression slope between systolic and diastolic blood pressure from unedited 24hour blood pressure monitoring data. Group I was defined by the presence of LVH or regional wall motion abnormality. Group II was normal. Results: Age was 54.2± 16.1(19-95) and 55.8% was female. Aortic dimension was the only factor correlated with AASI(r=0.22, p<0.05). Age, gender, and pulse pressure from clinic blood pressure were not correlated with AASI. Group I was comprised of 7 RWMA patients and 35 LVH patients. In a case control design, AASI is higher in group I than group II(0.35 ±0.178 vs 0.46 ± 0.15, p=0.002) Conclusion: AASI was not correlated with age, gender, and pulse pressure in this study. But aortic dimension was a correlated factor for AASI. And LVH or regional wall motion abnormality were associated with AASI. These findings suggest that AASI is associated with left ventricular or vascular changes.