Determinants of augmentation index in young men: The ARYA study

Background There is an increasing interest in the augmentation index (AIx), the proportion of the central pulse pressure resulting from peripheral arterial wave reflection, which has been related to cardiovascular disease risk and mortality. Most of the data on the AIx have been collected in patients with established cardiovascular disease. In contrast, data in the young are scarce. However, as AIx might be used to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk already at an early age, we aimed to study determinants of AIx in a population of healthy young men. Materials and methods Three hundred and thirty males (mean age of 28 years) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults study (ARYA-study) were studied in this cross sectional, population-based study. Anthropometrics and risk factors for cardiovascular disease were determined and AIx was estimated by radial applanation tonometry. The data were analysed using linear regression models. Results Augmentation index was associated with age, height (inverse), heart rate (inverse) and mean arterial pressure (positive). After adjustment for these determinants, smoking (beta = 0.31%/pack years, 95% CI [0.06; 0.55]) and LDL-cholesterol (beta = 1.28%/(mmol L-1), 95% CI [0.04; 2.51]) were statistically significant related to AIx. Conclusions This study among young adult males shows that smoking and LDL-cholesterol are positively related to AIx. These findings support the view that AIx may be used as a marker for early vascular damage and cardiovascular disease risk.