Xanthelasma palpebrarum associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects

Summary Background Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction independent of other well-known cardiovascular risk factors. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel index of arterial stiffness and important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between XP and CAVI in asymptomatic subjects. Methods Consecutive 50 subjects with XP and age-gender matched 50 control subjects were enrolled. Patients with known atherosclerotic vascular disease were excluded. Arterial stiffness was assessed by CAVI and defined as abnormal if CAVI is ≥ 8. Results Subjects with XP had higher mean CAVI than control subjects (8.05 ± 1.72 vs. 6.76 ± 1.18, p