Abstract 11401: The Association of Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity with Coronary and Extra-Coronary Calcification: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Abstract

Introduction: Increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is considered the standard non-invasive measurement of central arterial stiffness and is associated positively with cardiovascular disease. However, its relationship with coronary artery calcium (CAC) and extra-coronary calcification (ECC) in older adults is unclear. Hypothesis: cfPWV has a stronger relationship with aortic calcification as it is a large conduit artery, compared to small end-organ coronary arteries. Methods: In 1,409 ARIC participants aged 74-91 without prior coronary heart disease at visit 7 (2018-19), we quantified associations of cfPWV and high CAC or ECC using multivariable logistic regression models. PWV test was conducted at either visit 6 (2016-2017) or 7, and 725 participants completed PWV test at visit 6. cfPWV was measured using VP-1000plus (Omron Healthcare) and was categorized into tertiles. High CAC and ECC (aortic valve, aortic valve ring, mitral valve, ascending aorta, and descending aorta calcification) >75th percentile of Agatston score were analyzed separately as dependent variables. Results: Those in the highest (vs. lowest) tertile of cfPWV were significantly more likely to have high CAC (adjusted OR 1.66 [1.19, 2.33]) (Table). The strongest association was seen for high descending aorta calcification, with adjusted ORs of 3.53 (2.47, 5.03) for the highest tertile of cfPWV and 1.90 (1.33, 2.71) for the middle tertile, compared with the lowest tertile. High mitral valve calcification but not aortic valve calcification was significantly associated with cfPWV. Conclusions: Higher cfPWV was robustly associated with high calcification of some, but not all, vascular beds examined, especially descending aorta calcification. Our findings further support unique pathophysiological processes across different vascular beds. The robust association between cfPWV and mitral valve calcification warrants future investigation.