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.

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 > or = 22 corresponds to a 5-year CHD risk > or = 2.5% and we defined a MEGA score > or = 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.