Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity and Systolic Time Intervals in Risk Stratification for Progression of Renal Function Decline

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular dysfunction was associated with progression of renal function decline. This study was to assess whether combination of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the ratio of brachial pre-ejection period (bPEP) to brachial ejection time (bET) was independently associated with progression of renal function decline. METHODS: We included 363 patients and classified them into four groups according to median values of bPEP/bET and baPWV. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were patients with bPEP/bET and baPWV below the median, bPEP/bET above but baPWV below the median, bPET/bET below but baPWV above the median, and bPET/bET and baPWV above the median, respectively. The decline in renal function was assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope and the renal end points were defined as commencement of dialysis or ≥25% decline in eGFR. The relative risk of renal end points was analyzed by Cox regression method. RESULTS: The eGFR slope was significantly associated with baPWV, bPEP/bET, and patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 (vs. group 1) (P < 0.006). Multivariate forward Cox regression analysis showed that high baPWV, high bPEP/bET, and patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 (vs. group 1) (P ≤ 0.047) were independent predictors of renal end points. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated higher baPWV and bPEP/bET were associated with faster renal function decline and adverse renal end points. Dividing patients into four groups using these two parameters might be useful in risk stratification for progression of renal function decline.