TY - JOUR
T1 - Increased central pulse pressure and augmentation index in subjects with hypercholesterolemia
AU - Wilkinson, Ian B.
AU - Prasad, Krishna
AU - Hall, Ian R.
AU - Thomas, Anne
AU - MacCallum, Helen
AU - Webb, David J.
AU - Frenneaux, Michael P.
AU - Cockcroft, John R.
PY - 2002/3/20
Y1 - 2002/3/20
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between serum cholesterol, arterial stiffness and central blood pressure. BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. However, the effect of hypercholesterolemia on arterial stiffness is controversial, and central pulse pressure has not been previously investigated. METHODS: Pressure waveforms were recorded from the radial artery in 68 subjects with hypercholesterolemia and 68 controls, and corresponding central waveforms were generated using pulse wave analysis. Central pressure, augmentation index (AIx) (a measure of systemic stiffness) and aortic pulse wave velocity were determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in peripheral blood pressure between the two groups, but central pulse pressure was significantly higher in the group with hypercholesterolemia (37 ± 11 mm Hg vs. 33 ± 10 mm Hg [means ± SD]; p = 0.028). Augmentation index was also significantly higher in the patients with hypercholesterolemia group (24.8 ± 11.3% vs. 15.6 ± 12.1%; p < 0.001), as was the estimated aortic pulse wave velocity. In a multiple regression model, age, short stature, peripheral mean arterial pressure, smoking and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol correlated positively with AIx, and there was an inverse correlation with heart rate and male gender. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hypercholesterolemia have a higher central pulse pressure and stiffer blood vessels than matched controls, despite similar peripheral blood pressures. These hemodynamic changes may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with hypercholesterolemia, and assessment may improve risk stratification.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between serum cholesterol, arterial stiffness and central blood pressure. BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. However, the effect of hypercholesterolemia on arterial stiffness is controversial, and central pulse pressure has not been previously investigated. METHODS: Pressure waveforms were recorded from the radial artery in 68 subjects with hypercholesterolemia and 68 controls, and corresponding central waveforms were generated using pulse wave analysis. Central pressure, augmentation index (AIx) (a measure of systemic stiffness) and aortic pulse wave velocity were determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in peripheral blood pressure between the two groups, but central pulse pressure was significantly higher in the group with hypercholesterolemia (37 ± 11 mm Hg vs. 33 ± 10 mm Hg [means ± SD]; p = 0.028). Augmentation index was also significantly higher in the patients with hypercholesterolemia group (24.8 ± 11.3% vs. 15.6 ± 12.1%; p < 0.001), as was the estimated aortic pulse wave velocity. In a multiple regression model, age, short stature, peripheral mean arterial pressure, smoking and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol correlated positively with AIx, and there was an inverse correlation with heart rate and male gender. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hypercholesterolemia have a higher central pulse pressure and stiffer blood vessels than matched controls, despite similar peripheral blood pressures. These hemodynamic changes may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with hypercholesterolemia, and assessment may improve risk stratification.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037139311&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0735-1097(02)01723-0
DO - 10.1016/S0735-1097(02)01723-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 11897443
AN - SCOPUS:0037139311
VL - 39
SP - 1005
EP - 1011
JO - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
JF - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
SN - 0735-1097
IS - 6
ER -