Factors associated with pathological cardio-ankle vascular indices in patients with acute ischemic stroke: gender differences

Background. Currently, risk factors of ischemic stroke remain the relevant research object, including gender-dependent arterial stiffness.

Objective. To study the gender-related differences in factors associated with pathological cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in subjects with acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA).

Design and methods. The presence of cardiovascular disease, previous cardiovascular events, types and subtypes of stroke were assessed in all subjects. Color-flow duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries and laboratory studies (lipid profile) were performed to assess the presence of atherosclerosis.

Results. There were no significant differences in intermediate and pathological CAVI valuesin men and women (р = 0,59 and р = 0,48, respectively). The factors associated with pathological CAVI differ depending on the gender. The independent predictors of pathological CAVI in men include obesity (р = 0,04), intima-media complex thickening (р = 0,03); while in women they include obesity (р = 0,03), atherogenic index (p = 0,02), history of acute cerebrovascular accident (р = 0,03), and coronary artery disease (p = 0,02).

Conclusions. Thus, the assessment of CAVI is recommended in patients with ischemic stroke in order to identify increased arterial wall stiffness and to apply preventive approaches in accordance with the gender-related differences.

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