Pulse wave velocity as a cardiovascular risk marker in patients with stable coronary heart disease

Abstract

Aim. To assess pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a potential marker of adverse prognosis, compared to conventional factors of cardiovascular risk. Material and methods. The study included 184 patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The MI diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of pathologic Q-wave on electrocardiogram and/or diagnostic elevation of cardiac biomarkers. Carotidfemoral PWV, reflecting the status of elastic arteries, was assessed using a standard method, with the automatic computerised system Colson (France). The follow-up period (from the start of the study to either the end-point development or the study end) varied from 1 to 60 months. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for the assessment of cumulative survival. Results. In patients with coronary artery disease (CHD), the five-year survival was 0,89 among those with PWV <10 m/s (8,3±0,13 m/s); 0,84 among those with PWV 10–12 m/s (11,1±0,32 m/s); and 0,44 among those with PWV