ИСТИНА

The AIM of the study was establish whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) or changes of baPWV after treatment are predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in women already diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: baPWV measurement was performed on 88 women with CAD (mean age 65,9±7,7) using conventional therapy (IACE-61%, β-blocker-69%, statins-34%, сalcium channel blockers-54%, nitrates -33%) at baseline and after six months. During the 4-year follow-up period 14 patients experienced MACE (acute myocardial infarction, coronary intervention, or cardiac death) (2 befor 6 month-point and 12 after). RESULTS: There are no difference in baPWV at base line between groups with MACE and without MACE. After six months follow-up, baPWV had not improved (ΔbaPWV ≥0% relative to baseline) in 28.4% women (group 1), whereas it had significantly improved (ΔbaPWV <0% relative to baseline) in the remaining 71.6% (group 2). During follow-up 8 events in group 1 and 4 events in group 2 (p < 0.001) occurred. Cox analyses demonstrated that independent of age at base line and BP changes, absence of baPWV decrease was predictor of MACE. The negative predictive value of baPWV was 38,1% and the positive predictive value was 92,5%. The sensitivity of baPWV was 67%, and its specificity was 79%. CONCLUSIONS: baPWV at base line is the not predictor of MACE for women with CAD. But an improvement in arterial stiffness may be obtained after six months of ordinary therapy and clearly identifies patients who have a more favorable prognosis.