title: Ankle-brachial index as an indicator of arterial stiffness in patients without peripheral artery disease.
abstract: We tested the hypothesis that the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients without peripheral arterial disease ([PAD] ABI > 1.0) is an indicator of arterial stiffness. Fifty-five patients had measurement of carotid pulse wave contour, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and ABI. Vascular stiffness as assessed by augmentation index (AIx) showed a significant (P = .002) inverse correlation with ABI. Dichotomizing ABI into groups above and below the median showed that persons with a lower ABI, >1.0 to 1.5 (n = 27) had a significantly (P < .01) higher AIx than those with a higher ABI > 1.5 (n = 28). In contrast, vascular stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle or carotid femoral PWV did not correlate with ABI. In summary, ABI is an indicator of arterial stiffness assessed by AIx. Vascular changes detected by AIx are not the same as those detected by PWV. Assessment of ABI may have utility in cardiovascular risk assessment in patients without PAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. rabkin@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Simon W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rabkin
authors.forename: Siu Him
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease; D059289:Vascular Stiffness