Lower Ankle-brachial Index Values Research Articles

Examining Psychological Factors in Peripheral Artery Disease: Affective Temperament, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients Undergoing Revascularization Procedures.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, correlating these symptoms with clinical parameters and examining affective temperaments within the study group. A total of 159 PAD patients, predominantly male, admitted for vascular surgery due to lower limb atherosclerosis, participated in this cross-sectional study. Various assessments were conducted, including the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) for affective temperaments, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression symptoms, and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity. Additionally, the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) was measured to assess circulation in the legs. The findings revealed a higher prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the PAD patient group compared to the control group. Notably, depressive and anxiety symptoms correlated with the severity of PAD, as indicated by lower ABI values in the operated leg. Patients undergoing surgical revascularizations exhibited higher depressive symptoms than those undergoing endovascular procedures. Furthermore, correlations were observed between depressive symptoms and the number of previous vascular procedures and amputations, alongside increased pain levels at admission. Clinical factors such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, previous revascularization procedures, amputations, and the intensity of affective temperaments did not correlate with HADS scores. The study highlighted the intricate relationship between mood disorders and PAD severity, emphasizing the potential prognostic implications of untreated depression and anxiety in PAD patients. These findings suggest the importance of closely monitoring and addressing psychological well-being in PAD management. However, the study encountered limitations such as varying assessment timing and sample size discrepancies among comorbidities, impacting the observation of associations between mood disorders and certain conditions. In conclusion, depressive and anxiety symptoms are often in PAD. Further research is needed to explore therapeutic interventions targeting mental health and pain management to improve the course and outcomes of PAD.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Status with Ankle-Brachial Index among Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer at Universitas Airlangga Hospital, Surabaya

Highlights: ABI was not influenced by diabetic status. A more severe form of diabetic ulcer was associated with a lower ABI value. Abstract Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most significant complications of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that may affect a patient’s prognosis and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the association between diabetic status, DFU severity, and other clinical factors with ankle-brachial index (ABI) score and category. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study under a consecutive sampling frame conducted for three months at Universitas Airlangga Hospital, Surabaya. Primary data for ABl were measured from T2DM patients with DFU in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Polyclinic, while secondary clinical data were collected from the Department of Internal Medicine based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria specified in the patient's medical records. Results: Out of 30 included patients, 63.33% had uncontrolled diabetic status, and the average ABI score was 0.999 ± 0.19. DFU severity was significantly associated with the ABI score and ABI category. Patients indicated with angioplasty exhibited a markedly lower ABI score than those without (mean 0.32 vs 1.01; p < 0.001). Indication of angioplasty was the only clinical factor significantly associated with a lower ABI score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although the status of T2DM was unrelated to ABI, future research is recommended to advance the understanding of peripheral artery disease in diabetic foot ulcer patients.

The association between S1P and vascular disease markers in the general population

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator of the immune system and vascular bed. However, cross-sectional analyses of S1P and parameters of vascular health in the population are sparse. Purpose We explored the relation between S1P concentrations and several parameters of vascular health, i.e. ankle-brachial index (ABI), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques/stenosis, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as well as aortic wall thickness (AWT). Methods S1P was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND-0). ABI was calculated as the ratio of systolic blood pressure in arms and ankles. For cIMT, the distance between the lumen-intima and media-adventitia interfaces in longitudinal scans were measured. Carotid plaques were defined as a focal protrusion of the carotid vessel wall. Carotid stenosis was assessed with Doppler ultrasonography. FMD was evaluated by measuring the increase in brachial artery diameter after transient forearm ischemia. AWT was assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Subjects with cancer, severe renal insufficiency, previous myocardial infarction and extreme values for S1P (< 1st and > 99th percentile) were excluded. Sex stratified linear regression models adjusted for age, smoking, waist-to-hip ratio and platelets were used to assess the relation between S1P and vascular disease parameters. Results A total of n = 3,643 participants (48% male, median age 51, 25th and 75th percentile 39 and 63 years) could be included in the analyses. The median S1P concentration was 0.788 µM (25th and 75th percentile 0.679 and 0.906, respectively). In men a 1 standard deviation higher S1P was associated with a significantly greater cIMT (β: 0.0057 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00027 to 0.0112 mm; p = 0.0396) and a lower ABI (β: -0.0090 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.0153 to -0.0029; p = 0.0038. In women S1P was significantly associated with cIMT (β: 0.0044 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0001 to 0.0086 mm; p = 0.0445) while no significant association was found for the relation of S1P with ABI. For both men and women S1P was not associated with FMD, the presence of carotid plaques/stenosis and AWT. Conclusions We found that S1P concentrations were positively related to a thicker cIMT in both sexes and lower ABI values in men. There was no association of S1P with any of the other vascular markers of interest. Future studies need to validate our results in other populations.

Sustained physical activity in peripheral artery disease: Associations with disease severity, functional performance, health-related quality of life, and subsequent serious adverse events in the LITE randomized clinical trial.

This study investigated cross-sectional associations of peripheral artery disease (PAD) severity (defined by the ankle-brachial index (ABI)) and amounts of daily sustained physical activity (PA) (defined as > 100 activity counts per minute lasting 5 consecutive minutes or more). This study also investigated associations of amounts of daily sustained PA with 6-minute walk (6MW) distance and the Short Form-36 physical functioning domain (SF-36 PF) score in cross-sectional analyses and with serious adverse events (SAEs) in longitudinal analyses of people with PAD. PA was measured continuously for 10 days using a tri-axial accelerometer at baseline in 277 participants with PAD randomized to the LITE clinical trial. In regression analyses, each 0.15 lower ABI value was associated with a 5.67% decrease in the number of daily bouts of sustained PA (95% CI: 3.85-6.54; p < 0.001). Every additional bout of sustained PA per day was associated with a 4.56-meter greater 6MW distance (95% CI: 2.67-6.46; p < 0.0001), and a 0.81-point improvement in SF-36 PF score (95% CI: 0.34-1.28; p < 0.001). Participants with values of daily bouts of sustained PA below the median had higher rates of SAEs during follow-up, compared to participants above the median (41% vs 24%; p = 0.002). In conclusion, among participants with PAD, lower ABI values were associated with fewer bouts of daily sustained PA. A greater number of bouts of daily sustained PA were associated with better 6MW performance and SF-36 PF score, and, in longitudinal analyses, lower rates of SAEs. Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT02538900.

The ankle-brachial index and risk of incident stroke in Chinese hypertensive population withoutatrial fibrillation: Across-sectional study.

We aimed to evaluate the relation of the ankle–brachial index (ABI) with the prevalence of stroke and to examine any possible effect modifiers among hypertensive patients without atrial fibrillation. A total of 10 750 subjects with hypertension aged 27‐96 years were included in the current study. The outcome was a stroke. Odds ratios of stroke concerning ABI were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models. Among 10 750 hypertensive participants, 690 (6.42%) had a stroke. Multivariate logistic analyses showed that ABI was negatively correlated with the prevalence of stroke (per SD increment; adjusted OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82‐0.94). Compared with participants in Q 1, the odds ratios (95% CI) for those in the Q2 (1.05 to 1.10), Q3 (1.10 to 1.15), and Q4 (≥1.15) were 0.71 (0.56, 0.90), 0.87 (0.70, 1.08), and 0.81 (0.65, 1.01), respectively. However, compared with higher ABI value, lower ABI value (<1.05) would significantly increase the odds of stroke (OR: 1.26, 95% CI [1.05‐1.50]), especially in the elderly over 65 years old. A generalized additive model and a smooth curve fitting showed that there existed an L‐shaped association between ABI and the prevalence of stroke. Our results suggest that an L‐shaped association between ABI and the prevalence of stroke was found in general hypertensive patients, with a turning point at about 1.05. Compared with higher ABI value, lower ABI value (<1.05) would significantly increase the prevalence of stroke (OR: 1.26, 95% CI [1.05‐1.50]), especially in the elderly over 65 years old.

Association of systemic lupus erythematosus with peripheral arterial disease: a meta-analysis of literature studies.

SLE patients have an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Contrasting data are available about the association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and SLE. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the association between SLE and PAD. Studies were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Eight studies reporting on 263 258 SLE patients and 768 487 controls showed that the prevalence of PAD was 15.8% (95% CI: 10.5%, 23.2%) in SLE patients and 3.9% (95% CI: 1.8%, 7.9%) in controls with a corresponding odds ratio of 4.1 (95% CI: 1.5, 11.6; P<0.001). In addition, five studies reporting on ankle-brachial index showed significantly lower values in 280 SLE patients as compared with 201 controls (mean difference: -0.018; 95% CI: -0.034, -0.001; P=0.033). Meta-regression models showed that age, hypertension and diabetes were inversely associated with the difference in the prevalence of PAD between SLE patients and non-SLE controls, whereas no effect for all the other clinical and demographic variables on the evaluated outcome was found. SLE patients exhibit an increased prevalence of PAD and lower ankle-brachial index values as compared with non-SLE controls. This should be considered when planning prevention, interventional and rehabilitationstrategies for these chronic patients with functional disability and poor long-term outcomes.

Ankle Brachial Index as Predictor of Coronary Artery Lesion Severity in Patients with Suspected Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Atherosclerosis is a general process and can occur in coronary, peripheral, and aortic arteries. Traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis are gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, and family history. Atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries will develop into coronary artery disease (CAD). Angiography examination is the gold standard in CAD diagnosis. Lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is part of peripheral artery disease (PAD) due to atherosclerosis and can be diagnosed using the ankle brachial index (ABI). The aim of this study was to predict the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with suspected SCAD population with ABI.Method: This was a analytical observational study using cross sectional research design. Data was taken consecutively from affordable populations at the polyclinic of RSUP Dr. Sardjito for 2 periods in May 2017-August 2017 and August 2018-October 2018. Examination of ABI was performed before patients underwent angiography and ABI was divided into low ABI (≤0.90) and normal ABI (0.91-1.40). SS measurements based on video angiography were divided into severe (SS&gt; 22) and not severe (SS ≤22).Data were presented in categorical form and analyzed using SPSS 23. Confounding factors were then analyzed by bivariate test. If there was a confounding factor with a value of p &lt;0.25, it was followed by a multivariate test.Result: There were 35 subjects with low ABI and 71 subjects with severe lesions of 104 patients. The hypothesis test showed ABI increased the incidence of coronary lesion severity with PR 1.52 (1.21-1.93 with 95% CI) with a p value of 0.002. Bivariate tests show no confounding factors that increase the incidence of coronary lesion severity. Hypertension and dyslipidemia have a value of p &lt;0.25 so multivariate analysis is performed. The results of multivariate analysis were only that ABI increase the incidence of coronary lesion severity (p= 0.004).Conclusion: A low ABI value will increase the incidence of coronary atherosclerosis lesion by 1.52 times in patients with suspected SCAD

Diet is associated with ankle-brachial index, inflammation, and ambulation in patients with intermittent claudication

ObjectiveThe aims of this investigation were to determine whether the daily dietary intake of nutrients by patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication (IC) met recommended levels for adults older than 50 years and to determine whether meeting recommended levels of nutrients was associated with ankle-brachial index (ABI), inflammation, and ambulation of patients with PAD and IC. MethodsA total of 48 patients were assessed on their dietary intake of 20 nutrients during a 3-day period. Patients were further characterized on demographic variables, comorbid conditions, cardiovascular risk factors, ABI, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration. ResultsFew patients met the daily recommended intakes for calcium (4%), fiber (6%), vitamin E (6%), trans fatty acids (13%), vitamin A (15%), total sugars (19%), potassium (23%), sodium (29%), saturated fat (29%), and vitamin C (31%), and none of the patients met the daily recommended intake of vitamin D (0%). Overall, patients met few of the 20 dietary recommendations as the median score was seven recommendations. Only 17 of 48 patients met more than seven of the recommendations. For the ABI regression model adjusted for age, sex, race, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, body mass index, and percentage body fat, the only significant predictor was total sugars (P < .001); patients who did not meet the recommendation had lower ABI values. For the hsCRP-adjusted regression model, the strongest significant predictor was omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = .001), indicating that those who did not meet the recommendation had higher hsCRP values. Finally, for the 6MWD-adjusted regression model, folate (P = .011) and dietary score index (P = .014) were significant predictors; those who did not meet the recommendation for folate and those who met 5 or fewer of the 20 recommendations had shorter 6MWD. ConclusionsPatients with PAD and IC consume a low-nutrient-dense diet that is deficient in many vitamins, calcium, fruits, and vegetables and contains too much added sugar, saturated and trans fats, and processed foods. In addition, more severe PAD, greater inflammation, and ambulatory dysfunction are independently associated with aspects of a low-nutrient-dense diet, such as too much intake of added sugars, low intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and folate, and meeting the recommended intakes of only five or fewer nutrients.

Association of epistaxis with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

To investigate the association between epistaxis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Case-control cohort study. This study included patients from the tertiary-care ear, nose, and throat department at the University Hospital of Zurich between December 1, 2016 and June 1, 2017. We assessed the cardiovascular risk profiles in a group of 41 patients presenting with epistaxis, and a group of 41 matched controls, focusing on a surrogate parameter for atherosclerosis: the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). With a mean of 1.06 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 0.17), CIMT values were on average 26% higher in epistaxis patients than in their controls, with a mean of 0.84 mm (SD = 0.14; P < .001). Occurrence of severe epistaxis was also associated with lower ankle-brachial index values at 0.96 (SD = 0.12) versus 1.05 (SD = 0.17) (P < .001) and significantly higher QRISK2 relative risks (an algorithm for predicting cardiovascular risk) than found in the control group (1.81, SD = 0.97 vs. 1.35, SD = 0.28; P = .028). A binary logistic regression model, adjusted for possible confounders, showed an odds ratio of 2.5 for the occurrence of epistaxis per increase in CIMT of 0.1 mm in the study population (95% confidence interval: 1.56-4.11; P < .001). The occurrence of severe epistaxis was shown to be closely associated with the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, patients affected by epistaxis should be regarded as at an elevated cardiovascular risk, which indicates the need for appropriate further medical assessment and preventive measures. 3b TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials NCT03092973 Laryngoscope, 129:783-787, 2019.

Relation of the Ankle Brachial Index to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients Without Coronary Artery Disease

Background: The low ankle brachial index (ABI) values are indicative of peripheral arterial disease, but have recently been found to be associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This may relate to coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: This study prospectively assessed a potential ABI–LVEF association in patients without CAD. Methods and Results: We studied 55 patients (age 57 ± 13 years, 49% male) with normal coronary arteries with LVEF determination. ABI, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AI) were performed after coronary angiography. ABI correlated with LVEF (r = 0.40, p = 0.002), but not with PWV or AI. On linear regression analysis, ABI was independently associated with LVEF (B = 0.42, p = 0.004). The median LVEF was lower in subjects with low ABI values compared to those with normal ABI values (33 vs. 61%; p = 0.001). Conclusion: ABI may be influenced by LVEF independently of CAD, arterial stiffness or pressure wave reflection.

Association of sex and height with a lower ankle brachial index in the general population.

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a predictor of cardiovascular events, mortality and functional status. Some studies have noted a higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease in females compared to males. Differences in height might account for these observed sex differences, but findings are conflicting. The 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohort includes participants from 15 geographic locations, selected annually to represent the general population. Sample-weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression modeling was performed with ABI as the dependent variable and height and sex as primary exposure variables of interest. There were 3052 participants with ABI data (mean age 57 years, 51% female). The mean (±SE) ABI was 1.09 (±0.006) and 1.13 (±0.005) for females and males, respectively ( p < 0.0001). Shorter height was associated with a low ABI (OR 0.91 per 4 cm, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96; p=0.001). In a fully adjusted model, female sex was associated with a low ABI (OR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.04-1.72; p=0.025) independent of height and traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Age, diabetes, tobacco use, known CVD, hypertension and race were associated with a low ABI (all p < 0.001). The ABI was 0.03 lower in females than in males in the general population and in a healthy cohort. Lower ABI values in healthy females do not appear to be due to occult vascular disease but rather a normal phenomenon with some contribution from height. Therefore, population sex-specific ABI thresholds should be utilized in the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease to account for these intrinsic differences.

Peripheral artery disease, calf skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number, and functional performance.

In people without lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), mitochondrial DNA copy number declines with aging, and this decline is associated with declines in mitochondrial activity and functional performance. However, whether lower extremity ischemia is associated with lower mitochondrial DNA copy number and whether mitochondrial DNA copy number is associated with the degree of functional impairment in people with PAD is unknown. In people with and without PAD, age 65 years and older, we studied associations of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) with mitochondrial DNA copy number and associations of mitochondrial DNA copy number with functional impairment. Calf muscle biopsies were obtained from 34 participants with PAD (mean age: 73.5 years (SD 6.4), mean ABI: 0.67 (SD 0.15), mean 6-minute walk distance: 1191 feet (SD 223)) and 10 controls without PAD (mean age: 73.1 years (SD 4.7), mean ABI: 1.14 (SD 0.07), mean 6-minute walk distance: 1387 feet (SD 488)). Adjusting for age and sex, lower ABI values were associated with higher mitochondrial DNA copy number, measured in relative copy number (ABI<0.60: 914, ABI 0.60-0.90: 731, ABI 0.90-1.50: 593; p trend=0.016). The association of mitochondrial DNA copy number with the 6-minute walk distance and 4-meter walking velocity differed significantly between participants with versus without PAD ( p-value for interaction=0.001 and p=0.015, respectively). The correlation coefficient between mitochondrial DNA copy number and the 6-minute walk distance was 0.653 ( p=0.056) among people without PAD and -0.254 ( p=0.154) among people with PAD and ABI < 0.90. In conclusion, lower ABI values are associated with increased mitochondrial DNA copy number. Associations of mitochondrial DNA copy number with the 6-minute walk distance and 4-meter walking velocity significantly differed between people with versus without PAD, with stronger positive associations observed in people without PAD than in people with PAD. The cross-sectional and exploratory nature of the analyses precludes conclusions regarding causal inferences. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02246660.

Correlation analysis of ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with cardiac structures and functions in patients with essential hypertension.

To investigate the correlation of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with cardiac structures and functions changes in patients with essential hypertension (EH). A total of 202 patients with hypertension meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited in our hospital from June 2016 to August 2017. They were divided into 4 groups: the low ABI value group, the normal ABI value group, the increased baPWV value group and the normal baPWV group. Clinical data were collected, including medical histories and received physical examinations, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests and other examinations through the automatic atherosclerosis tester (VP-l00) and echocardiography. Interventricular septal thickness (IVST) of the low ABI value group was significantly larger than that of the normal ABI value group (p<0.05). Compared with those of the normal ABI value group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the ratio of peak velocity flow in the E wave to peak velocity flow in the A wave (E/A) of the low ABI value group were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Left atrium diameter (LAD) and IVST of the increased baPWV group were significantly greater than those of the normal baPWV group (p<0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the former was smaller than that of the latter (p<0.05). Correlation analyses showed that ABI was negatively correlated with IVST (r=-0.713, p<0.05) but positively correlated with LVEF and E/A (r=0.685 and 0.572, respectively, p<0.05); baPWV was positively related to LAD and LVST (r=0.413 and 0.527, respectively, p<0.05) but negatively related to LVEF (r=-0.546, p<0.05). ABI and baPWV are significantly associated with changes in cardiac structures and functions in patients with EH, which provide a basis for early intervention in clinical.

Abstract 105: Racial Differences in Health Status, Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Insights From the PORTRAIT Registry

Background: Despite the higher prevalence and excess morbidity associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in blacks, as compared with whites, little is known about racial differences in clinical characteristics, treatment referral and health status outcomes (symptoms, functioning, quality of life) at the time of PAD presentation. Methods: We used data from the Patient-centered Outcomes Related to Treatment Practices in Peripheral Arterial Disease Investigating Trajectories (PORTRAIT) registry, a multicenter, international prospective study of patients with new or worsening PAD symptoms consulting specialty care (2011-2015). Clinical and treatment characteristics were abstracted from medical records and health status was collected via patient interviews at presentation using the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire (PAQ). We calculated summary statistics using t-test/chi-square analyses and examined mean differences in the PAQ summary score at baseline between blacks and whites. Results: The final cohort consisted of 760 patients (N=183 blacks; 24%). Compared with whites, blacks were younger (66±9.8 vs 70±9.2; P=&lt; 0.001), more likely to be female (58% vs. 37%, P= &lt;0.001), non-married (40% vs. 59% P=&lt;0.001), and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (94.5% vs. 86.3%, P=0.002), diabetes (47.5% vs. 34.8%, P= 0.002), chronic kidney disease (23.5% vs. 12.7%, P=&lt;0.001), current smoking (38.8% vs. 25.5%, P=0.002) and lower ankle brachial index values (0.6 vs. 0.7, P=0.034). Blacks were also less likely to have had prior percutaneous coronary intervention (22.4% vs. 29.3%, P= 0.07) or coronary artery bypass grafting (13.7% vs. 28.4%, P=&lt; 0.001), but had similar rates of non-healing ulcers (2.2% vs. 1.4%, P=0.50) or amputation (2.7% vs. 1.0%, P=0.146). Black and white patients had similar mean PAQ summary scores at presentation (46.8±22.4 vs. 47.6±21.8; P=0.669) and were equally likely to be referred for revascularization (30.1% vs. 36.9 %, P=0.09) Conclusion: Despite excess prevalence of adverse risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, black patients presenting with PAD have similar health status outcomes and invasive treatment strategies when compared with whites. Follow-up studies are needed to determine if these observations persist after adjustment for covariates and if there are differences in health status recovery over time.

Short stature in men is associated with subclinical peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects approximately 202 million individuals around the world and is associated with a high risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and death. Although there is a clear inverse association between adult height and the risk of cardiovascular disease, little is known about the relationship between height and PAD. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between subclinical PAD and height. In a cross-sectional cardiovascular risk factor study in southwestern Finland, ankle brachial index (ABI) and other risk factors were measured from a total of 972 cardiovascular risk subjects derived from the general population. None of them had previously diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular or renal disease or intermittent claudication. Subjects with an ABI ≤ 0.90 were categorized as having subclinical PAD. The average age of the study subjects was 58.1 ± 6.7 years for men and 58.8 ± 6.9 years for women. The prevalence of subclinical PAD was 5 % (95 % CI 3 % - 7 %) (23/455) among men and 5 % (95 % CI 3 %-7 %) (26/517) among women. The mean ABI among men and women was 1.09 ± 0.12 and 1.08 ± 0.12, respectively. In men, there was an inverse association between height and the prevalence of subclinical PAD (p < 0.001) along with a positive association between height and ABI values (p < 0.001). In a multivariate model, height, age and current smoking status remained independent factors that were associated with subclinical PAD in men, whereas in women, only pulse pressure was associated with subclinical PAD. Short stature in men is associated with subclinical PAD and lower ABI values.

The Utility of Ankle-Brachial Index as a Predictor of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because arterial stiffness has been correlated with vascular risk factors, we evaluated whether the ankle-brachial index (ABI), the ratio of the ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures, can predict DCI. In a prospective cohort study, we measured the ABIs of 24 patients with aneurysmal SAH during the weeks after SAH. Angiographic vasospasm was evaluated via diagnostic cerebral angiograms. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was used to assess associations among ABI, DCI, and angiographic vasospasm. Patients were evaluated on the basis of the presence or absence of DCI (days 3-14 after SAH). Demographic and history factors were similar between the DCI and non-DCI groups. Patients in the DCI group had a greater modified Fisher grade (P= 0.029) and were more likely to have been treated via clipping (P= 0.032) and to demonstrate angiographic vasospasm (P= 0.009). Mean TCD values in the 2 groups were significantly different after day 5 in varied arterial distributions (P < 0.05). ABI values in the DCI group were significantly lower on posthemorrhage days 2-13 and when averaged over the 2-week study period (P < 0.05). An average ABI >1.045 ondays 2-7 was 85% sensitive and 82% specific for predicting absence of DCI. In this small single-center study, lower ABI values were strongly associated with SAH-induced DCI, which may provide a tool for managing DCI in aneurysmal SAH.

Repeatability of Oscillometric Determinations of the Ankle-Brachial Index. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive and inexpensive means to assess lower extremity artery patency with established validity. Low ABI values are predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality. Automated, oscillometric devices are commonly used to measure ABI in population studies for time efficiency and to reduce observer-dependent variability. The repeatability of multi-limb systolic blood pressure (SBP) and of ABI using oscillometric devices has not been evaluated in depth. Methods: Two examinations 4-8 weeks apart were conducted on 79 participants using standardized protocols. Using the VP-1000 Plus system bilateral systolic blood pressure (brachial and ankle) and ABI were measured twice five minutes apart, during each examination. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), minimal detectable change (MDC95), and minimal detectable difference (MDD) were calculated. Results: The ICCs (95% CI) were 0.62 (0.49, 0.75) for right brachial SBP, 0.65 (0.53, 0.77) for left brachial SBP, 0.61 (0.48, 0.74) for right ankle SBP, 0.66 (0.55, 0.78) for left ankle SBP, 0.48 (0.34, 0.64) for right ABI, and 0.61 (0.48, 0.73) for left ABI. The MDC95 was 0.22 for right ABI, and 0.20 for left ABI. The MDD for two independent samples (N=100) was 0.06 for both right ABI and left ABI. Conclusion: The 4-8 week repeatability measures of the arm and ankle SBP, and of the left ABI are substantial, and the estimated repeatability of the right ABI is moderate. Reliability estimates based on this study can be used to correct for bias when using ABI.

Is plasma-soluble CD36 associated with density of atheromatous plaque and ankle–brachial index in early-onset coronary artery disease patients?

CD36 is a major macrophage scavenger receptor for oxidised low-density lipoprotein particles. Soluble CD36 (sCD36) is circulating as a ligand-bound complex and may be present in microparticles shed from cells such as platelets, monocytes/macrophages, or adipocytes. Positive association of plasma sCD36 with insulin resistance has been reported, and it has been proposed that sCD36 might represent a marker of macrophage activation and inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. Recently we have identified an association between CD36 polymorphism and low thickness of atheromatous plaque, suggesting its protective effect against atherosclerosis development. To obtain insight into the relationship between plasma concentration of sCD36 and radiological parameters of atherosclerosis in patients with early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD). The study group comprised 70 clinically stable patients (18 women and 52 men) with early CAD (aged no more than 50 years for men and 55 years for women). Fasting blood sample was taken for serum glucose, lipid profile, ApoA1, ApoB, Lp(a), and plasma sCD36 protein measurements. Each subject's weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured, and the body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and mean arterial pressure were calculated. Doppler ultrasound examinations of carotid and peripheral arteries were performed in all patients. Thickness of intima-media complex (IMC) of common carotid (CCA) and brachial arteries, as well as density and thickness of atheromatous plaque at CCA bifurcation, were measured with M'Ath programme. Plasma concentrations of CD36 antigen were measured by ELISA. Correlations between quantitative variables and sCD36 plasma concentration were assessed with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (Rs). Associations between qualitative variables and sCD36 plasma concentration were tested with the Mann-Whitney U test. We observed no significant correlations between sCD36 concentration and radiological parameters of atherosclerosis. We found only borderline significant negative correlation of sCD36 concentration with thickness of IMC of left brachial artery. We also observed a significantly negative correlation with CCA plaque density, but only in the female subgroup and on the right side. Borderline higher sCD36 plasma concentrations were observed in patients with lower ankle-brachial index value (< 0.9). The results of the study show no strong associations and do not prove either detrimental or beneficial influence of sCD36 on radiological parameters of atherosclerosis. Further research is necessary to assess the association of high plasma sCD36 concentrations with the risk of plaque instability in patients with early-onset CAD.

Association between low ankle-brachial index and accelerometer-derived sedentary and exercise time in the asymptomatic general population.

Sedentary behavior is an adverse health risk factor that is independent of physical activity. The relationship between sedentary behavior, exercise activity and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is not well understood. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004. Accelerometer data were used to quantify exercise and sedentary time for each participant. A low ABI was defined as a value <1.0 (including borderline values). Multi-variable adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed with sedentary and exercise times as independent variables, adjusting for important confounders. There were 1443 asymptomatic participants (mean age 61 years, 49% female, 55% current/prior smokers) with mean daily sedentary and exercise times of 454 ± 144 and 18 ± 20 minutes, respectively. Of the participants, 23% had an ABI <1.0 (8.7% with ABI <0.9). Sedentary time was positively associated with a low ABI (odds ratio [OR] 1.22 per 1 standard deviation [SD], [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.43]; p=0.02) while exercise time was inversely associated with a low ABI (OR 0.71 per 1 SD, [95% CI, 0.57-0.89]; p=0.003). Sedentary time is associated with low ABI values in the asymptomatic population. This association appears to be independent of exercise time and warrants further investigation.

Spontaneous brain activity in type 2 diabetics revealed by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and its association with diabetic vascular disease: a resting-state FMRI study.

PurposeTo investigate correlations between altered spontaneous brain activity, diabetic vascular disease, and cognitive function for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).MethodsRs-fMRI was performed for T2DM patients (n = 26) and age-, gender-, and education-matched non-diabetic control subjects (n = 26). Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) were computed from fMRI signals to measure spontaneous neuronal activity. Differences in the ALFF patterns between patients and controls, as well as their correlations with clinical variables, were evaluated.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, T2DM patients exhibited significantly decreased ALFF values mainly in the frontal and parietal lobes, the bilateral thalumi, the posterior lobe of the cerebellum, and increased ALFF values mainly in the visual cortices. Furthermore, lower ALFF values in the left subcallosal gyrus correlated with lower ankle-brachial index values (r = 0.481, p = 0.020), while lower ALFF values in the bilateral medial prefrontal gyri correlated with higher urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (r = −0.418, p = 0.047). In addition, most of the regions with increased ALFF values in the visual cortices were found to negatively correlate with MoCA scores.ConclusionsThese results confirm that ALFF are altered in many brain regions in T2DM patients, and this is associated with the presence of diabetic vascular disease and poor cognitive performance. These findings may provide additional insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms that mediate T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction, and may also serve as a reference for future research.