Digital arterial pressure pulse wave analysis and cardiovascular events in the general population: the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease study

Background: Arterial stiffness influences the contour of the digital pressure pulse wave. Method: Here, we investigated whether the digital pulse propagation index (DPPI), based on the digital pressure pulse wave, DPPI is associated with cardiovascular events, heart failure, and mortality in a large population-based cohort. Between 2001 and 2003, DPPI was measured with a PortaPres noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring device (FinaPres Medical Systems, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in participants of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease study, a community-based cohort. We assessed the main determinants of the DPPI and investigated associations of DPPI with cardiovascular events and mortality. Results: The study included 5474 individuals. Mean age was 52.3 +/- 11.8 years and 50.5% was male. Median baseline DPPI was 5.81 m/s (interquartile range 5.47-6.20). Higher age, mean arterial blood pressure, body height, heart rate, current smoking, and lower HDL cholesterol levels and waist circumference were independent determinants of the DPPI (r(2) = 0.43). After adjustment for heart rate, high(log)DPPI was associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio: 1.67, 95% confidence interval (1.55-1.81) per SD;P < 0.001], cardiovascular mortality [hazard ratio 1.95 (1.72-2.22);P < 0.001], and incident heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [hazard ratio 1.81 (1.60-2.06);P < 0.001]. These associations remained independent upon further adjustment for confounders. Optimal cutoff values for DPPI ranged between 6.1 and 6.3 m/s for all endpoints. After multivariable adjustment, DPPI was no longer associated with coronary artery disease events or cerebrovascular events. Conclusion: The DPPI is associated with an increased risk of development of new onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but not with coronary artery events or cerebrovascular events.