Dataset Information

Associations between carotid-femoral and heart-femoral pulse wave velocity in older adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is widely used in epidemiological studies to assess central arterial stiffness. However, despite being superior to traditional risk factors in predicting cardiovascular outcomes, cfPWV is not routinely used in clinical practice. cfPWV assessments require applanation of the carotid artery, which can be cumbersome, and individual-level factors, including carotid artery plaque, may confound the measurements. Heart-femoral PWV (hfPWV) may be a suitable alternative measure of central arterial stiffness.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to estimate the strength of the agreement between hfPWV and cfPWV.

Methods

We evaluated 4133 older-aged [75.2 (5.0) years] African-American and white adults in the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. cfPWV and hfPWV were measured using an automated cardiovascular screening device. Agreement between the two measurements was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), standard error of estimate (SEE) and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

There was a strong (r > 0.7) agreement between hfPWV and cfPWV (r = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.82-0.84). Although the mean cfPWV [11.5 m/s (SD: 3.0)] and hfPWV [11.5 m/s (SD: 2.3)] were comparable, the SEE was 1.7 m/s. Inspection of the Bland-Altman plot revealed greater variability and bias for higher PWV values, with higher PWV further away from the regression line.

Discussion

Findings suggest good agreement between hfPWV and cfPWV. hfPWV is a simpler alternative to cfPWV that is less likely to be confounded by individual-level factors. Considering the greater variability for higher PWV values, further work is warranted to determine the importance of local artery mechanics to both measures.

SUBMITTER: Stoner L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7415670 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, increased arterial stiffness detected by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is associated with fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Since cf-PWV is an operator-dependent technique, poor reproducibility may be a source of bias in the estimation of arterial stiffness. OBJECTIVES:We assessed the week-to-week reproducibility of cf-PWV and radial artery pulse wave analysis in healthy subjects and ESRD patients. We also determined the extent of patient eligibility, enrollment, acceptance, and comfort. METHODS:In a cohort study design, independent tonometric examinations of carotid, femoral, and radial arteries were conducted in 20 healthy subjects and 15 ESRD patients attending chronic hemodialysis treatments according to a randomized sequence by two operators on 2 days scheduled 1-week apart. cf-PWV, augmentation index (AIx@HR75) and central pulse pressure (CPP) were the outcome measures. Patients were tested at mid-week and prior to dialysis treatment. The variability on the distance measured between the suprasternal notch and femoral site using two different methods (standard vs direct) was compared. A post-examination survey assessed acceptance and comfort associated with examinations. Reproducibility was evaluated by intra-class correlations (ICCs). RESULTS:The mean age for healthy subjects and ESRD patients was 45?±?12 and 63?±?16 years, respectively. ESRD patients had higher cf-PWV (p?=?0.0002), elevated AIx@HR75 (p?=?0.003), and increased CPP (p?=?0.001) compared to healthy subjects. The mean inter-visit differences for all stiffness indices were non-significant (p?>?0.05), but the mean inter-operator differences for the cf-PWV were significant only in the healthy subject group (-0.7 m/s; p?=?0.02). The ICCs between operators and visits were higher for the ESRD group compared to the healthy subjects (between operators, 0.870 vs 0.461; between visits, 0.830 vs 0.570). Distances were longer (p?<?0.001), but less variable with the standard method compared to the direct method (healthy subjects, p?=?0.036; ESRD, p?=?0.39). There was a high rate of patient acceptance and minimal discomfort. CONCLUSIONS:Week-to-week measurements of cf-PWV and pulse wave analysis are highly reproducible in ESRD patients prior to hemodialysis treatment. The high reproducibility and minimal test-to-test variations encourage use of cf-PWV to monitor changes in arterial stiffness and the efficacy of interventions in ESRD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02196610.