A6210 Reference values for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in children and adolescents – data from the Portuguese Vascular Phenotype in Children and Adolescents (PORT-VASPh) Cohort

Abstract

Objectives: To propose reference values in Portuguese children and adolescents, based on a statistical definition that considers the fundamental physiological role of aging in arterial stiffness. Methods: The PORT-VASPh cohort has 953 children and adolescents enrolled (age: 5 to 17 years). The overall health profile for each participant was defined based on three clinical evaluations, in which blood pressure (BP) was measured under standard conditions over the brachial artery. Gender-specific percentiles were used for the definition of the individual BP phenotype. For the proposal of reference values for PWV, data were collected from 758 healthy and normotensive participants included in the cohort, 60% males and 40% females, with a mean age of 11.95 ± 2.87 years (ranging from 5 to 17 years) and a body mass index (BMI) of 18.56 ± 2.98 kg/m2. Carotid-femoral PWV was measured to all participants with the Complior SP device, complying with the methodological recommendations. All participants were evaluated by the same clinician. Results: Gender-specific percentile tables, accounting for age, were obtained, as depicted in Figure 1. Mean PWV was 6.08 ± 0.90 m/s, and was higher in boys as compared with girls (6.19 ± 0.90 m/s versus 5.91 ± 0.86 m/s, respectively; p < 0.0001). A significant correlation of PWV with age, BMI, systolic and diastolic BP and family history of hypertension was identified. The availability of reference tables for PWV in children and adolescents is necessary, as it would allow the incorporation of the arterial stiffness concept into pediatric clinical decision, thus contributing for a better definition of the adequate preventive strategies for these particular populations. Conclusion: The availability of reference tables for PWV in children and adolescents is necessary, as it would allow the incorporation of the arterial stiffness concept into pediatric clinical decision, thus contributing for a better definition of the adequate preventive strategies for these particular populations.