Aortic pulse pressure is related to the presence and extent of coronary artery disease in men undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND: In the general population, pulse pressure (PP) is a correlate of cardiovascular outcomes. Few data are available regarding the links between PP and documented coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: From July 2000 to January 2002, a total of 1337 patients referred for a first diagnostic coronary angiogram at 75 participating centers were prospectively included. Of these individuals, 280 patients receiving no hypertensive therapy constituted the study population. Pulse pressure was recorded in the aortic root before angiography, and baseline characteristics, medical history, treatment used, and data from coronary angiography were recorded. RESULTS: In the whole population, aortic PP strongly correlated with the presence and extent of CAD in univariate analyses. However, the correlation disappeared in multivariate analysis, and a strong interaction with gender was found. In women (n = 82), aortic PP was not an independent predictor of CAD. However, in men (n = 198) an independent correlation between aortic PP and CAD was found, together with age and hypercholesterolemia. In addition, PP was strongly correlated with the extent of CAD (no disease, 51 +/- 16 mm Hg; one or two stenoses, 54 +/- 18 mm Hg; and more than two stenoses: 64 +/- 20 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study, aortic PP was significantly correlated with the presence and extent of CAD in patients without antihypertensive therapy. This correlation, however, was independent of other risk factors for CAD in men but not in women.