P4.17 Arterial Stiffness in Young Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Increased arterial stiffness occurs in older patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In this study we compared arterial stiffness and central hemodynamic parameters in young (< 60 years of age) PAD patients and controls. In 31 PAD patients with an ankle-brachial index (ABI≤ 0.9) and 42 controls, aortic Pulse wave velocity (aPWV), Augmentation index corrected for heart rate (AIx@75HR), aortic Pulse Pressure (aPP), Pulse Pressure Amplification (PPA), were measured using the SphygmoCor device. In young PAD patients aPWV and AIx@75HR were similar (p = 0.10) (p = 0.58) With respect to controls but aortic PP was higher (p = 0.02) and the PP amplification ratio was lower (p = 0.005). PAD in young subjects is associated with central hemodynamic alterations but not with degenerative stiffness of the large arteries.