COMPARISON OF CARDIO-ANKLE VASCULAR INDEX (CAVI) IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION, DIABETES AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE BY THE DEVICE VASERA 1500

Background. Czech adult population has one of the highest incidences of cardiovascular mortality among the developed countries. In order to detect an early vascular disease an accurate diagnosis of atherosclerosis is essential. Recently, a new technique to estimate arterial stiffness – the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) – has been developed. CAVI is calculated from the ECG, PCG and waveforms from brachial ankle arteries by special algorithm. Aim. The present study was aiming to assess the arterial stiffness by CAVI in healthy people and patients with hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients and methods. In total, 121 healthy volunteers, 36 diabetic, 58 hypertensive and 74 CAD patients were examined. CAVI was assessed using the latest type of device developed by Fukuda Denshi Co., the Vasera® 1500. Results. Statistical analysis showed significant difference of the mean CAVI in healthy subjects (6.96) vs.patients with diabetes (8.91; P<0.001), hypertension (8.89; P<0.001) and CAD (8.53; P<0.001). Conclusion. The presented results clearly demonstrate the increased arterial stiffness and higher cardiovascular risk in all the three groups of patients with selected diseases. CAVI determination using Vasera® 1500 should be considered as an important diagnostic tool for the non-invasive estimation of atherosclerosis and as useful predictor for coronary artery angiography in primary prevention.

Supported by the Fukuda Denshi Co., Tokyo, Japan.