CORRELATION BETWEEN ANKLE-ARM BLOOD-PRESSURE INDEX (AAI) AND ATHEROSCLEROTIC VASCULAR INVOLVEMENT IN CORONARY-ARTERIES

Several reports indicated that presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and low ankle-arm index (AAI) are independently associated with a substantial increase in cardiovascular mortality, particularly from coronary heart disease (CHD). The goal of the study was to evaluate w hether the AAI correlates with extension and severity of the atheroscl erotic vascular involvement in coronary arteries. One-hundred and sixt y-one male inpatients who consecutively underwent coronary angiography were referred to our Vascular Laboratory for ultra-sonographic examin ation of lower extremity arteries. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was c lassified by its extent (number of major coronary vessels affected by at least one stenosis of 50 % or more) and severity (sum of the maximu m percentages of stenosis in each of the major coronary vessels). Diff erences in AAI and other covariates in relation to extent and severity of CAD were evaluated using univariate and multiple regression analys is. Total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and, inversely, AAI (p < 0.005) were correlated with extent of CAD. Total cholesterol (p < 0.005), LDL-chol esterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05), diabetes (p < 0.05) and, inversely, AAI (p < 0.005) were correlated with the severity score. A fter multiple regression analysis including these covariates, AAI was independently and inversely correlated with the extent and severity (f or both: p < 0.005) of coronary artery atherosclerotic involvement. Th e AAI is strongly, independently and inversely correlated with the ext ent and severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis. We suggest that t he determination of the AAI can be of help for identifying patients wh o are likely to have wide and severe coronary atherosclerosis.