title: Augmentation index and pulse wave velocity as indicators of cardiovascular stiffness.
abstract: The authors examine the clinical significance of radial augmentation index (rAI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). In 78 hypertensive patients, rAI correlates inversely with pulse rate (PR; r = -0.57, P < .001), but baPWV does not. A weak correlation between rAI and systolic blood pressure (SBP) is observed (r = 0.28, P < .05). rAI has no significant correlation with diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In contrast, baPWV correlates positively with both SBP (r = 0.54, P < .001) and DBP (r = 0.43, P < .001). In 56 of these patients, baPWV correlates with the diastolic parameters-the mitral E/A ratio (r = -0.35, P < .01), pulmonary vein S/D ratio (r = 0.41, P < .01), and deceleration time (r = 0.28, P < .05)--by echocardiography, but AI.P75 (rAI corrected for PR 75 bpm because of PR dependence) does not. Therefore, for detection of diastolic dysfunction, baPWV may be more sensitive than rAI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta, Otsu, Japan. nakae@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakae
authors.forename: Shinro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsunami
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D016275:Atrial Function; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000503:physiopathology; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left