Arterial stiffness index as a screening test for cardiovascular risk: A comparative study between coronary artery calcification determined by electron beam tomography and arterial stiffness index determined by a VitalVision device in asymptomatic subjects

Abstract 

Background

Arterial stiffness has recently been proposed as a powerful independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. However, the influence of arterial stiffening on the interaction between the heart and large vessels and atherosclerosis is not well defined. The arterial stiffness index (ASI) has recently been determined with a new device (VitalVision) that calculates ASI in the upper arm using computerized oscillometry. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a useful surrogate marker of coronary artery disease detected non-invasively by electron beam tomography (EBT). We investigated the correlation between ASI and CAC in a group of patients.

Methods

CAC and ASI measurements were determined with EBT and a VitalVision device, respectively, on the same day in 97 asymptomatic patients. Patients with calcium scores above 0 were classified as CAC+ and those with calcium scores equal to 0 were classified as CAC−. The ASI index was divided into three groups – mild, moderate, and high – according to the H-value, provided by the VitalVision device.

Results

In patients below 51 years of age, no correlation between the ASI and CAC was found. In patients over 50 years of age, a moderate positive and significant correlation was found between the CAC score and ASI measurements (r=0.40, p=0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of a correlation between the CAC and ASI in patients over 50 shows that the ASI can be used to investigate atherosclerotic risk.

Keywords: Arterial stiffness, Coronary artery calcification, Arterial stiffness index, Electron beam tomography