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A modified ambulatory arterial stiffness index is independently associated with all-cause mortality

Abstract

Dependence of the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) on data scattering interferes with its potential clinical relevance. We assessed the correlates and all-cause mortality associations of a modified AASI (s-AASI). AASI was derived from the 24-h diastolic vs systolic blood pressure linear regression line, whereas s-AASI was derived by symmetric regression (bisecting the line of diastolic vs systolic and systolic vs diastolic). Of 2918 patients 55% were women; age was 56±16 years and body mass index was 27.3±4.5 kg/m2. Average 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was 138±16/78±10 mm Hg. Applying the modified method for calculating AASI yielded a different measure: the negative correlation between AASI and blood pressure dipping (r=−0.304, P<0.0001) was abolished (r=+0.223, P<0.0001), s-AASI was more dependent on age (r=0.266 vs r=0.089 for AASI), and prediction of all-cause mortality was enhanced; hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) 1.17 (1.00–1.36) per 1 s.d. increase in s-AASI in the fully adjusted model as compared with 1.15 (0.97–1.36) for AASI.

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Acknowledgements

Itay Almog provided invaluable assistance in handling old data files. Part of this work was presented at the AHA-CHBPR 2007 meeting.

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Correspondence to I Z Ben-Dov.

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Ben-Dov, I., Gavish, B., Kark, J. et al. A modified ambulatory arterial stiffness index is independently associated with all-cause mortality. J Hum Hypertens 22, 761–766 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2008.50

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