Digital peripheral arterial tonometry ratio was not significantly associated with incident composite CVD events (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.84-1.08; P=0.43), but higher ratio predicted lower stroke risk.
Cohort (n=3,865)
Do digital peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) measures predict first-onset major CVD events in a community-based sample?
Digital peripheral arterial tonometry measures, specifically higher PAT ratio, are associated with a lower risk of incident stroke but not overall composite CVD events in a community-based cohort.
Hazard Ratio: 0.95 (95% CI 0.84–1.08)
p-value: p=0.43
Background and Purpose: Novel noninvasive measures of vascular function are emerging as subclinical markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may be useful to predict CVD events. The purpose of our prospective study was to assess associations between digital peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) measures and first-onset major CVD events in a sample of FHS (Framingham Heart Study) participants. Methods: Using a fingertip PAT device, we assessed pulse amplitude in Framingham Offspring and Third Generation participants (n=3865; mean age, 55±14 years; 52% women) at baseline and in 30-second intervals for 4 minutes during reactive hyperemia. The PAT ratio (relative hyperemia index) was calculated as the post-to-pre occlusion pulse signal ratio in the occluded arm, relative to the same ratio in the control (nonoccluded) arm, and corrected for baseline vascular tone. Baseline pulse amplitude and PAT ratio during hyperemia are measures of pressure pulsatility and microvascular function in the finger, respectively. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to relate PAT measures in the fingertip to incident CVD events. Results: During follow-up (median, 9.2 years; range, 0.04–10.0 years), 270 participants (7%) experienced new-onset CVD events (n=270). In multivariable models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, baseline pulse amplitude (hazard ratio HR per 1 SD, 1.04 95% CI, 0.90–1.21; P=0.57) and PAT ratio (HR, 0.95 95% CI, 0.84–1.08; P=0.43) were not significantly related to incident composite CVD events, including myocardial infarction or heart failure. However, higher PAT ratio (HR, 0.76 95% CI, 0.61–0.94; P=0.013), but not baseline pulse amplitude (HR, 1.15 95% CI, 0.89–1.49; P=0.29), was related to lower risk for incident stroke. In a sensitivity analysis by stroke subtype, higher PAT ratio was related to lower risk of incident ischemic stroke events (HR, 0.68 95% CI, 0.53–0.86; P=0.001). Conclusions: Novel digital PAT measures may represent a marker of stroke risk in the community.
Cooper et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease (n=3,865). Digital peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) measures vs. Lower PAT measures was evaluated on incident composite CVD events, including myocardial infarction or heart failure (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.84-1.08, p=0.43). Digital peripheral arterial tonometry ratio was not significantly associated with incident composite CVD events (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.84-1.08; P=0.43), but higher ratio predicted lower stroke risk.