2017 Volume 31 Issue 5 Pages 675-680
Objective: In blood pressure pulse wave examinations (exams), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness, is easily measured. In the present study, we examined associations among blood pressure pulse wave exams results and health check-up results, in particular chest X-ray cardiovascular silhouette findings, and verified the significance of this in the early diagnosis of arteriosclerosis.
Methods: In 202 subjects who underwent blood pressure pulse wave exams at our center, we investigated arteriosclerosis risk factors in health check-up results (gender, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose) and examined correlations with baPWV measurements. In addition, from the X-ray films, we measured the cardiothoracic ratio and aorta diameter, observed whether aortic arch calcification was present or not, and examined associations with baPWV.
Results: Regarding associations of baPWV and risk factors, although no significant correlations were observed for gender, BMI or LDL-cholesterol, there were strong correlations with age, systolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. As for chest X-ray findings, while baPWV was strongly correlated with aorta diameter, it was not correlated with cardiothoracic ratio. In addition, baPWV was significantly higher in subjects with aortic arch calcification (n=64) than in those without (n=138).
Conclusion: The findings suggested that there is an increase in baPWV even before vascular morphological abnormalities occur in arteriosclerosis. Blood pressure pulse wave exams should be useful in Ningen Dock as a potential indicator for early diagnosis of arteriosclerosis.
