P2.26 ASSESSING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CARDIO-ANKLE VASCULAR INDEX (CAVI) AND ITS PWV FOR ARTERIAL FUNCTION – ARM-LEG DIFFERENCES AND REPEATABILITY

• Main Authors: V. Govoni, M.L. Casagrande, F. Iqbal, K.J. Cruickshank
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlantis Press 2013-11-01
• Series: Artery Research
• Online Access: https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125938975/view

Background: Vasera is a machine developed to evaluate arterial stiffness by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), apparently independent of blood pressure (BP). The 4-cuff device measures right (R) and left (L) brachial and ankle BP, deriving the CAVI value and cardiac-ankle (ca)PWV. We assessed the operating characteristics of this novel technique in clinical practice. Method: A total of 108 patients, (13 healthy controls, 76 hypertensive, 19 with type 2 diabetes) aged 18–80 years, were measured with the Vasera 1500 (Fukuda-Denshi, Tokyo, Japan) after 10 minutes rest in a temperature controlled room. Patients with known vessel disease were excluded. Repeat visits were made after about 2 weeks. Results: Mean±SD BMI and age were 29.6±6.1kg/m2 and 50.8±16.1y respectively. Within-visit R and L CAVI were 7.8±1.5, and 7.8±1.7 units, and R and L PWV 8.1±1.5 and 8.1±1.6 m/sec. The difference between brachial systolic R and L BP, 2.5±7mmHg, correlated with both R-PWV and L-PWV (r=0.29 for both, p=0.009). No significant correlation was seen between brachial or ankle R and L systolic and diastolic BP differences and R/L-CAVI, nor was there significant correlation between ankle R/ L systolic and diastolic BP difference and R-PWV or L-PWV. In 24 patients, between-visit differences in CAVI (R) were 0.14 (95%CI −0.4 to 0.6, not significant, NS) and in caPWV 0.5 (−0.3 to 1) m/sec – NS. Conclusion: Between-visit repeatability for both CAVI & caPWV was good. The correlation between difference in arm BP and caPWV suggests possible subclinical subclavian or aortic stiffness /disease.