title: Aortic stiffness predicts functional outcome in patients after ischemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased aortic stiffness (measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and central augmentation index have been shown to independently predict cardiovascular events, including stroke. We studied whether pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index predict functional outcome after ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, we enrolled 99 patients with acute ischemic stroke (age 63.7 ± 12.4 years, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 6.6 ± 6.6, mean ± SD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index (SphygmoCor) were measured 1 week after stroke onset. Functional outcome was evaluated 90 days after stroke using the modified Rankin Scale with modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 considered an excellent outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis, low carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (P=0.000001) and low central augmentation index (P=0.028) were significantly associated with excellent stroke outcome. Age, severity of stroke, presence of previous stroke, diabetes, heart rate, and peripheral pressures also predicted stroke functional outcome. In multivariate analysis, the predictive value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (<9.4 m/s) remained significant (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.79; P=0.02) after adjustment for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, and presence of previous stroke. By contrast, central augmentation index had no significant predictive value after adjustment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology for Adults, Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gasecki
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojek
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kwarciany
authors.forename: Marlena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubach
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boutouyrie
authors.forename: Walenty
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nyka
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000502:physiology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*