Elevated cardio-ankle vascular index may be related to future stroke risk in Japanese subjects

Background: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been proposed as a useful parameter for arteriosclerotic diseases. However, whether it is associated with stroke risk in Japanese subjects remains unclear.

Methods: In total, 280 Japanese subjects (92 females, 52.6 ± 5 years old) underwent a medical check-up. CAVI value and risk factors for arterial dysfunction were evaluated; the predicted 10-year stroke risk was measured by the Japan Public Health Center study.

Results: Age, sex, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure were significant independent predictors of CAVI. CAVI values were significantly elevated in the high, compared with the medium-low and low predicted risk groups. A significant odds ratio (OR) for the high-risk group was noted in the highest quartile of CAVI values (OR, 14.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.17-68.0), compared with the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders. A significant OR for very high predicted stroke risk was also found for each quartile increase (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.87-4.94) and 1-standard deviation increase (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.52-3.30) in CAVI value.

Conclusion: Elevated CAVI values were related to an elevated predicted stroke risk, suggesting that CAVI could be a suitable surrogate marker for finding subjects at an increased risk of first-ever stroke.