Radial arterial wave reflection is associated with the MEGA risk prediction score, an indicator of coronary heart disease risk, in middle-aged men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Aim: The present study examined the association between the radial augmentation index (AI), a marker of arterial wave reflection, and the MEGA risk prediction score (MEGA score), an indicator of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, in middle-aged men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Radial AI was measured during a company health examination in 266 men (age: 47±5 years) with total cholesterol levels ranging 220-270 mg/dL who were not taking antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or antidiabetic agents. The MEGA score was calculated based on sex, age, low-and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose level, and smoking status. The higher MEGA score indicates increased CHD risk. A MEGA score ≥ 22 corresponds to a 5-year CHD risk ≥ 2.5% and we defined a MEGA score ≥ 22 as a high estimated CHD risk. Results: The mean AI was 74.4±12.6%. A high estimated CHD risk was seen in 32 subjects (12.0%). After adjusting for height and heart rate, the AI was higher in subjects with a high estimated CHD risk (81.5±10.6%) than in those without (73.4±10.4%, p<0.001). The odds ratio for high estimated CHD risk in the highest tertile of AI was 8.14 (p=0.002) in comparison to the lowest tertile, after adjusting for multiple potential confounders which did not constitute the MEGA score. Conclusion: The radial AI was positively associated with the estimated risk of CHD. These results suggest the usefulness of radial AI as a risk marker for future onset of CHD in middle-aged men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.