The Association of Bilateral Pulse Wave Velocity and Inter‐Arm Systolic Blood Pressure Difference in Apparently Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Bilateral, either simultaneous or sequentially measured, blood pressure (BP) is used for the screening and diagnosis of inter‐arm systolic blood pressure difference (ISBPD). ISBPD, wherein a difference of ≥10 mmHg in systolic BP between arms is noted, is associated with peripheral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and arterial stiffness. Similarly, arterial stiffness is a strong determinant of cardiovascular risk. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely used as the gold‐standard measurement of arterial stiffness. However, bilateral PWV is not commonly performed, and procedural measurement of PWV has yet to achieve clear standardization. Further, existing evidence is very limited regarding the relationship of bilateral carotid‐radial PWV measurement and ISBPD.PURPOSETo determine the association between bilateral BP and carotid‐radial PWV.METHODSTo identify the relationship between bilateral carotid‐radial PWV measurement and BP, we studied 53 subjects (26±7.4 years, 57% female) with no known cardiovascular disease. Bilateral BP was acquired both sequentially (BPSEQ) and simultaneously (BPSIM) following a 10‐minute rest period in the supine position. Right and left carotid‐radial distances were measured using an Infantometer. Bilateral carotid‐radial PWV was obtained using a Complior Analyse™ simultaneously. T‐tests were performed to determine differences in BPSEQ and BPSIM and right and left carotid‐radial pulse wave velocity (PWVR; PWVL), and correlation coefficients determined the relationship between bilateral BP and PWV differences (PWVD).RESULTSBilateral BPSEQ and BPSIM measurement was similar (1.5±7.2 mmHg and 1.2±4.6 mmHg, respectively; P > 0.05) and BP was not different between arms regardless of method (P > 0.05). Interestingly, bilateral carotid‐radial PWV was different (PWVR = 7.8±1.3 m/s and PWVL = 7.3±1.1 m/s; P < 0.05). BPSEQ and BPSIM is poorly correlated to PWVD (R = −.09 and R = .009, respectively; P > 0.05). However, PWVR was strongly correlated to PWVD (R = .63; P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSGreater PWV is associated with a greater bilateral PWV difference. The consideration for bilateral measurement of PWV deserves further investigation. Bilateral BP and PWV differences may be valuable additions to a cardiovascular risk profile.Support or Funding InformationPennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Faculty Professional Development CouncilThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.