Relationship between pulse pressure and carotid atherosclerosis

Objective:To investigate the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and severity of carotid atherosclerosis stenosis. Method:Eighty patients were enrolled and underwent color doppler ultrasound determination for carotid artery intima-media thickness. According to the results of the ultrasound,the patients were divided into carotid artery plaque groups and non-plaque group. The central and the peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and PP were measured. Result:PP levels were significantly higher in carotid artery plaque groups than those in the non-plaque group. Carotid atherosclerosis incidence was significantly higher in patients with PP≥50 mmHg than that in patients with PP50 mmHg. Multiple regression analysis indicated that PP was an independent risk factor for CAS. Furthermore,central PP was better than brachial artery PP in predicting the cardiovascular events.Conclusion:Central PP might be one of the predictors of severity of carotid atherosclerosis.