The measurement of augmentation index of central artery and its clinical application in healthy pilots

WANG Xin-yan; ZHANG Long-fang; XU Bo; HUANG Cui-ying; WEI Chi; WANG Jian-chang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-2811.2013.01.007

Abstract： Objective We intended to observe the changes of augmentation index (AIx) of central artery and its influence factors in healthy military pilots, to provide reference for pilot recruitment, and to present references for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in active pilots. Methods Using Sphygmocor, the central artery systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and AIx were quantitatively detected in 58 active pilots who were hospitalized or took physical examination for pilot transition. Forty-nine healthy male subjects who were hospitalized for physical examination were randomly selected as control group. There were no differences between two groups regarding age and blood pressure. They had no history of cardiovascular diseases, and had no positive signs during physical examination, and had no abnormal results regarding ECG, chest x-ray, hepatic function, kidney function and biochemistry panel. Results Between the two groups, there were no statistically significant differences regarding clinical data and biochemistry index (P>0.05). With regard to AIx value, it was lower in healthy pilot group than that in control group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that AIx was positively correlated with age (pilot group, r=0.367, P<0.05). The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age, cSBP, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were main influencial factors of AIx in healthy pilots. Conclusions In healthy pilots, the AIx value was lower than that in healthy subjects, but it was influenced by age, cSBP, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The AIx value could provided theory references for pilot recruitment and prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in pilots.