New CV Risk Score Can More Accurately Predict Vascular Aging

A new risk score can more accurately identify patients with early vascular aging (EVA) than current methods of blood pressure (BP) measurement, according to researchers.

The new score—the Early Vascular Aging Ambulatory score—uses ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) values and classic cardiovascular risk factors to predict risk in patients with hypertension.

First, the researchers compared the diagnostic accuracy of BP measurement methods of office BP, ABPM, and at-home BP by evaluating 265 adults who had consecutively presented to a single center in Greece with elevated BP between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016.

Office and out-of-office BP measurements, including ABPM, on a usual working day, as well as 7 days’ worth of at-home BP monitoring, were recorded.

The researchers defined EVA as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity values that were “higher than the expected for age average values according to European population data.”

According to the researchers, EVA “significantly correlated” with office systolic BP, average 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, and average 24-hour and office heart rates. For those with hypertension, average 24-hour systolic BP was a better determinant of EVA than home or office BP measurements. 

With their results, the researchers developed the Early Vascular Aging Ambulatory score, which uses the ambulatory BP variables, age, sex, body mass index, diabetes status, and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

According to the researchers, the new score provides a total accuracy of 82%, with 84% sensitivity and 78% specificity.

“In the future, the prediction of EVA, assessed by the Early Vascular Aging Ambulatory score, could be used to guide early lifestyle or pharmaceutical interventions in order to prevent future [cardiovascular] events,” the researchers concluded.

—Colleen Murphy

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