S-213 : Clinical implication and consistency of inter-arm blood pressure difference in general population

Background: There is limited data on clinical implication and consistency of serial measurement of increased inter-arm blood pressure difference (IIABPD) in general population. Methods: From May 2006 to April 2015, a total of 1650 patients (53 ±12 years old/71.2% males) have undergone serial pulse wave velocity and ankle brachial index (ABI) measurements (Median time interval: 12 months) with VP-1,000 (Omron) in Myongji health screening center. We evaluated the consistency of IIABPD over measurements and compared ABI and decrement of ABI according to IIABPD, which is defined as 10 mmHg or more of difference between systolic pressures of both arms. Results: The prevalence of IIABPD was 77 (4.7%) and 93 patients (5.7%) in index and followed measurement, respectively. There was significant correlation between index and followed IABPD (r＝0.179, p ＜0.001). Although IIABPD of index measurement had significant correlation with IIABPD in follow-up (HR 5.53 [3.08-9.94 95%CI], p＜0.001), the consistency rate of IIABPD was only 17 patients (22%) amongst 77 patients. When all of study population was divided into 4 groups according to increased IABPD as follows; No IIABPD, resolved IIABPD, newly developed IIABPD, consistent IIABPD group, ABI was significantly higher and the decrement of serial ABI was smaller in no or resolved IIABPD groups compared with newly developed or consistent IIABPD groups (Table 1). Conclusions: IIABPD of 10 mmHg or more was significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. However, serial measurements revealed low consistency rate of IIABPD. These findings suggested the limitation of IIABPD as a simple marker for atherosclerosis.