Decreased ankle-brachial index and increased interarm or interankle blood pressure differences predicted higher total mortality (HR 1.15-1.23; P≤0.01) and cardiovascular mortality in elderly Chinese.
Cohort (n=3,133)
Do interarm and interankle blood pressure differences predict mortality in elderly Chinese adults?
Interarm and interankle blood pressure differences, along with ankle-brachial index, improve the prediction of total and cardiovascular mortality in the elderly.
Effect estimate: HR 1.15 to 1.23
p-value: p=≤0.01
The predictive value of blood pressure (BP) for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality diminishes in the elderly, which may be confounded and compensated by the BP differences across the 4 limbs, markers of peripheral arterial disease. In a prospective elderly (≥60 years) Chinese study, we performed simultaneous 4-limb BP measurement using an oscillometric device in the supine position, and calculated BP differences between the 4 limbs. At baseline, the mean age of the 3133 participants (1383 men) was 69 years. During 4 years (median) of follow-up, all-cause and cardiovascular deaths occurred in 203 and 93 subjects, respectively. In multiple regression analyses, arm BPs on the higher arm side of systolic BP did not predict mortality (P≥0.06) except for a negative association between mean arterial pressure and total mortality (P=0.04). However, in adjusted analyses, the hazard ratios associated with a 1-SD decrease in ankle-brachial BP index or increase in interarm or interankle BP difference were 1.15 to 1.23 for total mortality (P≤0.01) and 1.17 to 1.24 for cardiovascular mortality (P≤0.04). In categorical analyses, similar results were observed for a decreased ankle-brachial index (≤0.90, ≤0.95, or ≤1.00) or increased interarm or interankle difference (≥15 mm Hg or ≥10 mm Hg). In conclusion, in the elderly, above and beyond arm BP level and together with ankle-brachial index, the interarm and interankle BP differences improve prediction of mortality. Simultaneous 4-limb BP measurement has become feasible with current technology and might be useful in cardiovascular prevention.
Sheng et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Elderly (n=3,133). Four-limb blood pressure measurement (ankle-brachial index, interarm/interankle BP differences) vs. Arm BP level alone was evaluated on Total mortality (HR 1.15 to 1.23, p=≤0.01). Decreased ankle-brachial index and increased interarm or interankle blood pressure differences predicted higher total mortality (HR 1.15-1.23; P≤0.01) and cardiovascular mortality in elderly Chinese.