Relationship between high aortic pulse pressure and extension of coronary atherosclerosis in males

A high pulse pressure (PP) is a marker of increased artery stiffness and represents a well-established independent predictor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective of the research was to determine whether invasively measured central aortic PP was related to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. In total 1075 consecutive stable male patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography with a preserved left ventricular function were included. Diseased coronary vessel (DCV) was defined by the presence of >50 % stenosis. Men were divided into 3 groups according to the increased value of PP. The average PP in the tertiles was 47.8±7.1 vs. 67.0±4.9 vs. 91.3±12.8 mm Hg (p