Association of pulse pressure with death, myocardial infarction, and stroke among cardiovascular outcome trial participants.

Background: Prior evidence demonstrates that pulse pressure (PP), a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, is an independent risk factor for mortality and major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events.

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the association of PP with death, myocardial infarction, and stroke among participants enrolled in large CV outcome clinical trials and determine if this association was impacted by pre-existing CV disease, or specific CV risk factors.

Methods: A total of 65,382 individuals, ages 19 to 98 years, that were enrolled in one of five CV outcome trials were analyzed. Baseline demographics, history, blood pressures, and medications were collected. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to explore temporal patterns, risks, and adjusted survival rates.

Results: Mean baseline PP was 52 ± 12 mmHg. For every 10 mmHg increase in PP, there was an increased risk of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction (hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95 % CI 1.08 to 1.14,  < 0.001). Similarly, a PP ≥ 60 mmHg demonstrated an HR of 1.27 (95 % CI 1.19 to 1.36,  < 0.001) compared with PP < 60 mmHg. A similar association existed for all subgroups analyzed except for participants with a history of stroke where increasing PP did not increase risk (HR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.95 to 1.10,  = 0.53). PP was a better predictor of adverse outcomes when compared to both systolic and diastolic blood pressures using the AIC and C-index.

Conclusions: Among participants enrolled in CV outcome trials, baseline PP is associated with increased risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke for those with pre-existing CV disease and risk factors with the exception of a prior history of stroke.