ABSTRACT
Arterial stiffness plays a major role in the pathogenesis of numerous age-related diseases.Pulse wave velocity, distensibility, wave reflection, and pulse pressure are used to assess arterial stiffness, but the features and clinical significance of each parameter are different.Combined application of these parameters can comprehensively evaluate arterial stiffness.This review summarizes the methods and research progress of noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To explore the role of increased preoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening in hypertensive infants with coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 314 infants with CoA (CoA group, 193 males and 121 females, aged 5.4±2.2 months), and 314 infants receiving tumor chemotherapy with normal cardiovascular function and without pneumonia (control group, 189 males and 125 females, aged 4.4±3.8 months), who were admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2017. The clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results There were statistical differences in effective aortic elastance index (Eai), effective left ventricular end-systolic elasticity index (Eesi), ventricle-artery coupling index (VACi), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and ratios of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with non-hypertensive CoA infants, CoA infants with hypertension had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-ProBNP level and proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy (P<0.05). Compared with concomitant ventricular septal defect, infants with isolated CoA had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-proBNP level, incidence of hypertension and higher proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction (P<0.05). Eai and Eesi were positively correlated with NT-proBNP level, left ventricular hypertrophy and fractional shortening of left ventricle (P<0.05), while Eai and Eesi were negatively correlated with left ventricular end diastolic volume index, left ventricular end systolic volume index and concomitant ventricular septal defect (P<0.05). Hypertension was related to preoperative left ventricular hypertrophy, Eai, Eesi and NT-ProBNP. Eai was an independent risk factor for hypertension. Conclusion Preoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening is increased in infants with aortic coarctation, which is related to the occurrence of hypertension. Isolated CoA shows more significant increase in ventricular-arterial stiffening, higher ventricular overload and incidence of hypertension.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffening may affect regional myocardial function in hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in 70 patients, of mean age 48 +/- 14 years, with untreated hypertension and EF > 55%. Using two-dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography, we measured longitudinal and circumferential strain (epsilon) and strain rate (SR). Basal and apical rotations were measured using short axis views. RESULTS: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in these patients was 152 +/- 15 mmHg and 92 +/- 11 mmHg, respectively. The mean value of PWV was 1578 +/- 274 cm/s. PWV significantly correlated with age (r = 0.682, p 1700 cm/s compared to those with PWV < or = 1400 cm/s or those with PWV 1400-1700 cm/s. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction, arterial stiffening contributes to impaired systolic and diastolic function of the regional myocardium. Compensatory increases in ventricular twist were diminished in patients with advanced stage of vascular stiffening.