Elevated cardio-ankle vascular index may be related to future stroke risk in Japanese subjects

Abstract

BackgroundThe cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been proposed as a useful parameter for arteriosclerotic diseases. However, whether it is associated with stroke risk in Japanese subjects remains unclear. MethodsIn total, 280 Japanese subjects (92 females, 52.6 ± 5 years old) underwent a medical check-up. CAVI value and risk factors for arterial dysfunction were evaluated; the predicted 10-year stroke risk was measured by the Japan Public Health Center study. ResultsAge, sex, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure were significant independent predictors of CAVI. CAVI values were significantly elevated in the high, compared with the medium-low and low predicted risk groups. A significant odds ratio (OR) for the high-risk group was noted in the highest quartile of CAVI values (OR, 14.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.17–68.0), compared with the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders. A significant OR for very high predicted stroke risk was also found for each quartile increase (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.87–4.94) and 1-standard deviation increase (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.52–3.30) in CAVI value. ConclusionElevated CAVI values were related to an elevated predicted stroke risk, suggesting that CAVI could be a suitable surrogate marker for finding subjects at an increased risk of first-ever stroke.