Increase in aortic pulse wave velocity is associated with abnormal postprandial triglyceride response.
BACKGROUND
Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), an index of aortic distensibility, and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia are recognized as independent cardiovascular risk factors.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and changes in aPWV.


METHODS
We prospectively studied 45 patients (mean age 48 [14] years, 28.9% men), who were submitted to a standardized fat meal (FM) test. According to their triglyceride (TG) levels 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after the FM, the patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (31 patients) with postprandial TG levels < or = 219 mg/dl, and Group 2 (14 patients) with TG levels > 219 mg/dl at one of the aforementioned time intervals. Before and 6 h after the FM, aPWV was measured noninvasively.


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics in the two groups were similar, except for higher TG, pulse pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, percentage of patients who smoked or had arterial hypertension, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Group 2. Postprandially, aPWV was higher in Group 2 [11.2(2.7) vs. 9.1(2.1) m/s, p = 0.004]. Changes in aPWV correlated with TG changes from baseline to 6 h after FM (r = 0.539, p < 0.001) and with the areas under the TG curve (r = 0.617, p < 0.001). A postprandial TG increase of 100 mg/dl resulted in a 0.88 m/s rise of aPWV.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in aPWV 6 h after an FM test correlates positively with abnormal postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. These relationships, reported here for the first time, could be of practical use for better evaluation of patient prognosis.
Daskalova
Deliana C
DC
Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Harokopio University, University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Kolovou
Genovefa D
GD
Panagiotakos
Demosthenes B
DB
Pilatis
Nektarios D
ND
Cokkinos
Dennis V
DV
D001011:Aorta / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011674:Pulse; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides