Association between Interarm Systolic Blood Pressure Difference and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Angiography

Abstract

Background: An elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), and all-cause mortality, may be  linked to interarm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD). In the present study, we aimed to detect accurate risk association of  interarm systolic blood pressure difference with coronary artery disease among patients who underwent elective coronary angiography.  

Methods: A total of 80 patients who underwent elective coronary angiography and their systolic blood pressure measurement was  between 90 and 200 mmHg were included in this cross sectional study. Forty-one patients did not have significant coronary artery disease  while 39 patients had it. We examined the relationship between coronary artery disease and IASBPD in this well-defined patient  sample.

Results: Among studied patients, systolic blood pressure in the right arm was (130 ± 19.58 mmHg), in the left arm was (113.63 ±  19.81 mmHg), and inter-arm blood pressure difference was (15.88 ± 8.49 mmHg). Inter-arm blood pressure difference (IRBP Difference)  did not differ significantly between patients with significant coronary artery disease and those without (16.67 ± 10.34 vs. 15.12 ± 6.27, P=  0.4192). Gender distribution showed notable disparities, with a higher percentage of males in the significant artery disease group  compared to those without significant artery disease (89.74% vs. 58.54%, P<.05). Ejection fraction (EF) differed significantly between both  groups among cases without significant artery disease having a higher EF compared to cases with significant artery disease (62.12% ±  6.73% vs. 62.12% ± 6.73%, P<.05).

Conclusion: While we have observed significant gender-based disparities and a clear correlation  between reduced ejection fraction and the incidence of significant artery disease, our study suggests that the predictive value of the  inter-arm blood pressure difference in CAD patients appears limited.