Association of Classic Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Lifestyles With the Cardio-ankle Vascular Index in a General Mediterranean Population

• Published in: Revista española de cardiología (English ed.) 2018-06, Vol.71 (6), p.458-465
• Main Authors: Elosua-Bayés, Marc, Martí-Lluch, Ruth, García-Gil, María del Mar, Camós, Lourdes, Comas-Cufí, Marc, Blanch, Jordi, Ponjoan, Anna, Alves-Cabratosa, Lia, Elosua, Roberto, Grau, María, Marrugat, Jaume, Ramos, Rafel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular; Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 1885-5857; 1885-5857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rec.2017.09.011

Abstract Introduction and objectives The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) assesses arterial stiffness. We aimed to describe the distribution of CAVI in a Mediterranean population, to determine the proportion of CAVI ≥ 9 by sex and coronary risk level, and to assess the association of CAVI with classic cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle patterns. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on the population of Girona province. The CAVI was measured using the VaSera VS-1500. Results Of 2613 individuals included in this study, the prevalence of CAVI ≥ 9 was 46.8% in men and 36.0% in women and significantly increased with coronary risk: from 21.1% and 24.8%, respectively to 76.7%, in the low-risk group, and 61.9% in the high-risk group. The CAVI increased with age in both sexes, being higher in men across all age groups. In men, CAVI ≥ 9 was associated with hypertension (OR, 2.70; 95%CI, 1.90-3.87) and diabetes (OR, 2.38; 95%CI, 1.52-3.78), body mass index (BMI) ≤ 25 to < 30 (OR, 0.44; 95%CI, 0.27-0.72) and BMI ≥ 30 (OR, 0.28; 95%CI, 0.14-0.58), and physical activity (OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.47-0.92). In women, CAVI ≥ 9 was associated with hypertension (OR, 2.22; 95%CI, 1.59-3.09), hypercholesterolemia (OR, 1.40; 95%CI, 1.01-1.94), and BMI ≥ 30 (OR, 0.38; 95%CI, 0.20-0.71). Conclusions The CAVI increases with age and is higher in men than in women. This index is associated with classic risk factors and coronary risk. It could be a good predictive biomarker, but further follow-up studies are required to assess its added value to cardiovascular risk stratification.