Negative Associations Between Arterial Stiffness Parameter Evaluated by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration in Early-Stage Atherosclerosis

Abstract

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), calculated values from cardio-ankle pulse wave velocity and blood pressure, corresponds predominantly to the stiffness of the aorta and peripheral arteries of the lower limbs. However, the reported associations between CAVI and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels remain inconsistent. A cross-sectional study of 1878 consecutive patients (mean age: 59.2 years) who underwent general health checkup showed a negative association between CAVI and serum LDL-C or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations with age-adjusted correlation and multiple regression analysis. Using the similar analyses divided by the status of risk factors and degree of maximum carotid intima–media thickness (maxIMT), negative correlations between CAVI and LDL-C or non-HDL-C levels were observed only in nonrisk groups including nondiabetics patients or patients with maxIMT <1.0 mm, in those with expected low extent of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. In contrast, such a correlation was not found in each comparable risk-loaded group.