title: Risk Stratification of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using Aortic Augmentation Index.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central augmentation index (cAIx) is an indicator for vascular stiffness. Obstructive and aneurysmatic vascular disease can affect pulse wave propagation and reflection, causing changes in central aortic pressures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess and compare cAIx in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and / or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
  
  
  METHODS
  cAIx was assessed by radial applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor) in a total of 184 patients at a tertiary referral centre. Patients were grouped as having PAD only, AAA only, or both AAA and PAD. Differences in cAIx measurements between the three patient groups were tested by non-parametric tests and stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis to investigate associations with obstructive or aneurysmatic patterns of vascular disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study sample of 184 patients, 130 had PAD only, 20 had AAA only, and 34 patients had both AAA and PAD. Mean cAIx (%) was 30.5 ± 8.2 across all patients. It was significantly higher in females (35.2 ± 6.1, n = 55) than males (28.4 ± 8.2, n = 129), and significantly higher in patients over 80 years of age (34.4 ± 6.9, n = 22) than in those under 80 years (30.0 ± 8.2, n = 162). Intergroup comparison revealed a significant difference in cAIx between the three patient groups (AAA: 27.3 ± 9.5; PAD: 31.4 ± 7.8; AAA & PAD: 28.8 ± 8.5). cAIx was significantly lower in patients with AAA, higher in patients with both AAA and PAD, and highest in patients with PAD only (beta = 0.21, p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-invasive assessment of arterial stiffness in high-risk patients indicates that cAIx differs according to the pattern of vascular disease. Measurements revealed significantly higher cAIx values for patients with obstructive peripheral arterial disease than for patients with aneurysmatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Angiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Angiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Angiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jacomella
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Pneumology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Malcom
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lachat
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Angiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amann-Vesti
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Angiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D059289:Vascular Stiffness