Arterial stiffness and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in coronary artery disease. Is there a link?

BACKGROUND

We investigated the possible association between antichlamydial antibodies and pulse wave analysis (PWA) parameters in a cohort of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

The augmentation index (AI), the reflection time index (RTI) and the time to the beginning of the reflected wave (CT-1) were estimated (Sphygmocor ATCOR Medical). IgA titers >or= 40 and IgG >or=80 were considered as positive (microimmunofluorescence test). Patients also underwent coronary angiography, ultrasound carotid measurements and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements.

RESULTS

No differences existed in the traditional risk factors for CAD between the seronegative and seropositive IgA/ IgG groups. IgA seropositive subjects had higher values of AI (p < 0.01) comparing to seronegatives whilst the levels of CT-1 and RTI were lower (p < 0.011 and p < 0.02 respectively). No differences in AI, CT-1 and RTI values were found between IgG seropositive/ seronegatives patients.

CONCLUSIONS

An association was indicated between IgA antichlamydial titers and PWA parameters in patients with CAD, supporting that the connecting link between arterial stiffness and CAD might include this microorganism.