Increased intima-media thickness is not associated with stiffer arteries in children

Association of blood pressure and heart rate with carotid markers of vascular remodeling in the young: a case for early prevention

OBJECTIVE

The association of childhood blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) with intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease several decades later has been shown, but studies on more short-term outcomes are scarce. Using population-based data, this study investigates the association of four BP parameters and HR in childhood with three carotid markers for vascular remodeling one decade later.

METHODS

At the 11-year follow-up, 4607 participants of the nationwide KiGGS cohort aged 14 to 28 years had semi-automated sonographic carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) measurements. We investigated associations of baseline (age 3-17 years) and follow-up SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) and resting heart rate (RHR), with CIMT and lumen diameter at or above the 90th percentile and distensibility coefficient at or below the tenth percentile in logistic regressions. Analyses were further adjusted using a composite cardiovascular risk (CVR) score of BMI, triglycerides, total/HDL-cholesterol-ratio and HbA1c.

RESULTS

SBP, DBP, MAP and RHR were significantly and similarly associated with all carotid measures 11 years later, for example an odds ratio (OR) of 1.17 [confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.29] for one standard deviation SBP increase with elevated CIMT when adjusting for sex, age and CVR score. Cross-sectionally, the strongest association was found for MAP with reduced distensibility coefficient (OR 1.76; CI 1.59-1.94).

CONCLUSION

This population-based cohort study shows robust and consistent associations between childhood BP and RHR and three carotid measures of vascular remodeling only one decade later, clearly underscoring the potential importance of preventing high BP already early in the life course.

Vascular ageing: moving from bench towards bedside

Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the largest public health challenges of our time. Identifying individuals at increased cardiovascular risk at an asymptomatic, sub-clinical stage is of paramount importance for minimizing disease progression as well as the substantial health and economic burden associated with overt CVD. Vascular ageing (VA) involves the deterioration in vascular structure and function over time and ultimately leads to damage in the heart, brain, kidney, and other organs. Vascular ageing encompasses the cumulative effect of all cardiovascular risk factors on the arterial wall over the life course and thus may help identify those at elevated cardiovascular risk, early in disease development. Although the concept of VA is gaining interest clinically, it is seldom measured in routine clinical practice due to lack of consensus on how to characterize VA as physiological vs. pathological and various practical issues. In this state-of-the-art review and as a network of scientists, clinicians, engineers, and industry partners with expertise in VA, we address six questions related to VA in an attempt to increase knowledge among the broader medical community and move the routine measurement of VA a little closer from bench towards bedside.

Influence of Different Antiseizure Medications on Vascular Risk Factors in Children with Epilepsy

Many studies have proposed that plasma homocysteine levels are increased as a side effect with the prolonged use of antiseizure medications. This is associated with an increase in carotid intima media thickness; hence, it increases the threat of atherosclerosis at a young age. We aimed to assess serum levels of homocysteine in epileptic children on long-standing antiseizure medications and its association with increased occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The study included 60 epileptic children aged between 2 and 15 years old who visited our pediatric neurology outpatient clinic and 25 apparently healthy children served as a control group. All included children were subjected to careful history taking, clinical examination, anthropometric measures, laboratory investigations including serum homocysteine levels and lipid profile, along with radiological assessment involving carotid intima media thickness and carotid stiffness. Results demonstrated a significant increase in the serum levels of homocysteine, carotid intima media thickness, and carotid stiffness in children on monotherapy of old generation antiseizure medications and polytherapy than that in children on monotherapy of new generation antiseizure medications and control children. Epileptic children on old generation and polytherapy antiseizure medications have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and need follow up for early intervention when needed.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Percentiles in Adolescence and Young Adulthood and Their Association With Obesity and Hypertensive Blood Pressure in a Population Cohort

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to derive carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) percentiles from a population-based sample of adolescents and young adults using improved technology, standardization and quality control, and to investigate the association of CIMT with hypertensive blood pressure (BP) and obesity.

METHODS

Four thousand seven hundred nine 14- to 28-year-old participants of the German KiGGS cohort 11-year follow-up, which was based on a nationwide population sample, had B-mode ultrasound CIMT measurement with semi-automated edge-detection and automatic ECG-gated real-time quality control. CIMT percentiles were estimated from far wall CIMT during 2 to 6 heart cycles using the GAMLSS statistical model. Hypertensive BP, overweight, obesity, and a risk score from added Z scores of triglycerides, total/HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol ratio, and glycated hemoglobin were based on standardized measurements at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

CIMT differed by sex at all ages, furthermore by age and height in a nonlinear fashion. Percentiles were estimated simultaneously by age and height. Hypertensive BP and obesity were associated cross-sectionally and longitudinally with a higher risk of CIMT ≥75th percentile in log-binomial regression models adjusted for age, sex, height, current smoking, and cardiovascular risk score. For CIMT ≥90th percentile, the relative risk effect estimates were consistently >1 but often had large confidence intervals including 1, largest adjusted relative risk 3.37 (95% CI, 1.41-8.04) for the combination of hypertensive BP and obesity at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on state-of-the-art measurements and statistical techniques, these population-based CIMT percentiles by sex, age and height add unbiased evidence for the association of subclinical atherosclerosis with hypertensive BP and obesity in the young.

Vascular Ageing in Youth: A Call to Action

Extensive evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) begin to develop early in life. Childhood obesity and elevated blood pressure (BP) have become overwhelmingly challenging, with 57% of today's children predicted to be obese by the age of 35 years, and global rates of hypertension in children and adolescents increasing by 75% from 2000 to 2015. Thus, there is an urgent need for tools that can assess early CVD risk in youth, which may lead to better risk stratification, preventative intervention, and personalised medicine. Vascular ageing (the deterioration in vascular structure and function) is a pivotal progenitor of health degeneration associated with elevated BP. Exposure to adverse environmental and genetic factors from fetal life promotes the development and accumulation of subclinical vascular changes that direct an individual towards a trajectory of early vascular ageing (EVA)-an independent predictor of target organ damage in the heart, brain, and kidneys. Therefore, characterising vascular ageing from youth may provide a window into cardiovascular risk later in life. However, vascular ageing measurements only have value when techniques are accurate/validated and when reliable thresholds are available for defining normal ranges and ranges that signal increased risk of disease. The aim of this paper is to summarise current evidence on the importance of vascular ageing assessment in youth and the impact of interventions to prevent or delay EVA, to highlight the need for standardisation and validation of measurement techniques in children and adolescents, and the importance of establishing reference values for vascular ageing measures in this population.

Exercise Training Duration and Intensity Are Associated With Thicker Carotid Intima-Media Thickness but Improved Arterial Elasticity in Active Children and Adolescents

Even though exercise generally has a positive effect on health, intensive exercise can have adverse effects on the vascular system of adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between training duration and intensity and vascular structure and function in 427 physically active children and adolescents (14.0 ± 1.94 years). In this study, we examined carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid diameter, and cIMT:diameter-ratio as parameters of carotid arterial structure and arterial compliance (AC), stiffness index β (β), elastic modulus (Ep), and carotid pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) as parameters of carotid arterial function with high-resolution ultrasound. We collected central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) as parameters of central arterial stiffness with an oscillometric device. We used the MoMo Physical Activity Questionnaire to record training duration and intensity. Training duration (p = 0.022) and intensity (p = 0.024) were associated with higher cIMT. Further, training duration was associated with lower central arterial stiffness (cSBP: p = 0.001; aPWV: p = 0.033) and improved AC (p < 0.001). Higher training intensity was related to improved AC (p < 0.001) and larger carotid diameter (p = 0.040). Boys presented thicker cIMT (p = 0.010), improved AC (p = 0.006), and lower central arterial stiffness (cSBP: p < 0.001; aPWV: p = 0.016) associated with higher training duration. Girls presented improved AC (p = 0.023) and lower Ep (p = 0.038) but higher β (p = 0.036) associated with higher training duration. Only boys demonstrated thicker cIMT (p = 0.016) and improved AC (p = 0.002) associated with higher training intensity. A quintile analyses of the training duration revealed thicker cIMT of children and adolescents in Q1 and Q5 than that in Q4 and Q5. Besides, Q1 showed lower cSBP compared to Q4 and Q5. Regarding training intensity, Q5 had thicker cIMT than Q2 and Q3. Although a higher training load is associated with thicker cIMT, the common carotid artery is also more elastic. This suggests that a higher training load leads to a functional adaptation of the carotid artery in youth.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Subclinical atherosclerosis in childhood can be evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness, which is considered a surrogate marker for atherosclerotic disease in adulthood. The aims of this study were to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness and, to investigate associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD). Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness. Cardiovascular risk factors, such as physical activity, screen time, passive smoke, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, dietary intake, lipid parameters, glycaemia, and C-reactive protein, were also assessed. Factors associated with carotid intima-media thickness were analysed using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 0.518 mm and 46.7% had subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness ≥ 97th percentile). After adjusting for confounding factors, cyanotic CHD (odds ratio: 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.20; 0.78), cardiac surgery (odds ratio: 3.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.35; 7.48), and be hospitalised to treat infections (odds ratio: 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.04; 3.54) were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSION

Clinical characteristics related to CHD were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. This finding suggests that the presence of CHD itself is a risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis. Therefore, the screen and control of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be made early and intensively to prevent atherosclerosis.

Improved Carotid Elasticity but Altered Central Hemodynamics and Carotid Structure in Young Athletes

Young athletes most often exceed the physical activity recommendations of the World Health Organization. Therefore, they are of special interest for investigating cardiovascular adaptions to exercise. This study aimed to examine the arterial structure and function of young athletes 12-17 years old and compare these parameters to reference values of healthy cohorts. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid diameter, cIMT÷carotid diameter-ratio (cIDR), arterial compliance (AC), elastic modulus (Ep), β stiffness index (β), and carotid pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) were determined using ultrasound in 331 young athletes (77 girls; mean age, 14.6 ± 1.30 years). Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and aortic PWV (aPWV) were measured using the oscillometric device Mobil-O-Graph. Standard deviation scores (SDS) of all parameters were calculated according to German reference values. The 75th and 90th percentiles were defined as the threshold for elevated cIMT and arterial stiffness, respectively. Activity behavior was assessed with the MoMo physical activity questionnaire, and maximum power output with a standard cardiopulmonary exercise test. One-sample t-tests were performed to investigate the significant deviations in SDS values compared to the value "0". All subjects participated in competitive sports for at least 6 h per week (565.6 ± 206.0 min/week). Of the 331 young athletes, 135 (40.2%) had cIMT >75th percentile, 71 (21.5%) had cSBP >90th percentile, and 94 (28.4%) had aPWV>90th percentile. We observed higher cIMT SDS (p < 0.001), cIDR SDS (p = 0.009), and AC SDS (p < 0.001) but lower β SDS (p < 0.001), Ep SDS (p < 0.001), and PWVβ SDS (p < 0.001) compared to the reference cohort. The cSBP SDS (p < 0.001) and aPWV SDS (p < 0.001) were elevated. In conclusion, cIMT and cIDR were higher in young athletes than in a reference cohort. Furthermore, young athletes presented better carotid elasticity and lower arterial stiffness of the carotid artery. However, central arterial stiffness was higher compared to the reference cohort. The thickening of the carotid intima-media complex in combination with a reduction in arterial stiffness indicates a physiological adaptation to exercise in youth.

Vascular diameter and intima-media thickness to diameter ratio values of the carotid artery in 642 healthy children

In children, arterial alterations occur with increased intima-media thickness as well as vascular diameter enlargement. Both conditions correlate with higher cardiovascular risk in adults, and both the array and proportion of these alterations are important hemodynamic parameters. In terms of functional adaptation processes, they influence several arterial wall properties as for example the shear and tensile stress of the vessel. There are no reference values for the vascular diameter and intima-media thickness/diameter ratio of the carotid artery in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess vascular diameter, intima-media thickness/diameter ratio and related tensile stress values in children and to further investigate the influence of sex, age, body mass index, and blood pressure. The parameters were measured with high-resolution semi-automated ultrasound. Sex- and age-dependent values were calculated with the LMS method for a cross-sectional sample of 642 healthy, non-obese children aged 8-17 years. The mean vascular diameter was 5.45 ± 0.46 mm; the median intima-media thickness/diameter ratio was 0.085 (0.079-0.092); the median tensile stress was 105.4 (95.2-116.4) kPa. The vascular diameter and the tensile stress were higher, and the intima-media thickness/diameter ratio was lower in boys than in girls. In comparison to the normal weight study population the excludedobese children had a significantly higher diameter, a lower intima-media thickness/diameter ratio, and a higher tensile stress. In multiple regression analyses of diameter, intima-media thickness/diameter ratio, and tensile stress, all parameters were influenced by sex and body mass index. Furthermore, systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly influenced the vascular diameter, and systolic blood pressure significantly influenced the intima-media thickness/diameter ratio. Conclusion: This study is the first to report values for the diameter, the intima-media thickness/diameter ratio of the carotid artery, and the related tensile stress allowing a more differentiated view of cardiovascular adaptations as it combines structural and functional vascular parameters. What is known: • Intima-media thickness and vascular diameter are related to a higher cardiovascular risk in adults • The intima-media thickness/diameter ratio gives information about hemodynamic and functional vessel adaptation What is new: • Values for vascular diameter, intima-media thickness/diameter ratio, and tensile stress of the carotid artery in children are presented in this study • Intima-media thickness as a surrogate marker for arterial health in children should be complemented by intima-media thickness/diameter ratio measurement.

Influence of Vigorous Physical Activity on Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular System in Young Athletes-The MuCAYA-Study

Objective: Moderate physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk to develop cardiovascular disease. However, junior athletes exercise between 10 and 20 h a week with intensities exceeding moderate levels by far. In this regard, the cardiovascular system has to increase its work five to six times compared to moderate intensities. This may result in potentially pathological adaptations of the cardiovascular system. The underlying process of vascular adaptations to exercise is yet not fully understood and hardly investigated in junior athletes. An increased blood pressure and pulse wave velocity, ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmia, and even sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been reported in adult athletes. Studies, examining the cardiovascular system in children, its association to intensity and type of exercise, are rare. Therefore, we present the study protocol of a prospective cross-sectional study that investigates the influence of PA on the cardiovascular system in young athletes.

Methods and Design: Children and adolescents, 7–18 years, presenting for their annual pre-participation screening at the Institute of Preventive Pediatrics, Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), are examined in this prospective cross-sectional study. Vascular parameters measured by ultrasound are carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), vascular stiffness (AC, Ep, β, PWV β), and the vascular diameter (D) to calculate the IMT:Diameter-Ratio (IDR). Cardiac function is evaluated by a 12-lead ECG, and echocardiographic parameters (end-diastolic left ventricular diameter, left ventricular diastolic posterior wall thickness, diastolic septal thickness, left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness, ejection fraction, and shortening fraction). A cardiopulmonary exercise test is performed on a bicycle ergometer, muscular strength is assessed with the handgrip test, and physical activity with the MoMo questionnaire.

Discussion: It is essential to follow young athletes over the course of their career in order to detect pathophysiological changes in the myocardium as soon as possible. If these changes are preceded or followed by changes in vascular structure and function is not known yet. Therefore, we present the study protocol of the Munich Cardiovascular adaptations in young athletes study (MuCAYA-Study) which investigates the association between vascular and cardiac adaptation to intensive exercise in junior athletes.

Vascular health determinants in children

Background

The epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the twentieth century generated numerous population-based surveys. These results clearly demonstrate that many factors are causally related to the development of atherosclerosis. Eighty percent of the CVD can be explained by smoking, high blood pressure, deterioration of lipid and glucose metabolism and physical inactivity. CVD is a disease that becomes clinically apparent in adults. However, it is undisputed that this disease develops over a long period of time due to progressive, subclinical changes in the cardiovascular system. The early manifestation of arteriosclerosis correlates with traditional risk factors.

Methods

This brief report focusses on determinates of vascular health. It describes non-invasive diagnostic methods such as oscillometric analysis of pulse wave velocity (PWV), ultrasound measurement of carotid structure and function as well as brachial endothelial function. Special attention is paid to possible correlations with physical activity, fitness and exercise.

Results

Non-invasive diagnostic methods to determine vascular health are applicable in children. The influence of physical activity and the relationship between aerobic fitness and arterial compliance (AC) remain controversial. First results in young athletes demonstrated an increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), by revealing arterial elasticity. The mechanism and determinants explaining these adaptations have not been fully explained in young healthy athletes.

Conclusions

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors act early in life and have a major impact on the development of atherosclerosis. The results underline that the prevention strategies and risk factor control should begin in childhood. The emphasis in the present report lied on the determination of vascular health, analyzing arterial structure and function, using non-invasive diagnostic methods. Vascular health and its relation to obesity, hypertension, physical activity and exercise were emphasized. The harmonization of knowledge and methods would greatly increase the comparability of existing results. To further elucidate the clinical relevance, the mechanisms linking arterial structure and compliance function with physical activity, fitness and exercise need further clinical investigation to enhance early preventive intervention strategies.

Comparison of Two Measurement Devices for Pulse Wave Velocity in Children: Which Tool Is Useful to Detect Vascular Alterations Caused by Overweight?

Vascular alterations may lead to manifest cardiovascular disease in future life. There is a tremendous time delay between the onset and obvious clinical appearance of vascular alterations. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is one subclinical parameter to detect vascular alterations at a very early stage. Different techniques exist to measure PWV non-invasively as a vascular parameter-all with their own technique-inherent advantages, challenges, and pitfalls. The aim of this study was to compare two techniques to measure PWV, to assess their agreement, and interchangeability. In 780 (♀ = 49.4%) healthy children and adolescents (mean age: 11.61 ± 2.11 years), PWV was obtained with two different techniques. Ultrasound-measured local PWV (PWVβ) at the carotid artery was graphically compared by a Bland-Altman plot with aortic PWV (aPWV), measured oscillometrically on the brachial artery. Reproducibility was assessed with the concordance correlation coefficient by Lin (ρc). Furthermore, participants were categorized by BMI as normal weight (N) or overweight/obese (O) to identify differences in PWVβ and aPWV caused by an increased BMI. Mean PWVβ was lower (4.01 ± 0.44 m/s) than mean aPWV (4.67 ± 0.34 m/s). The two methods differ by mean Δ0.66 ± 0.47 m/s (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.69 m/s; p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis indicated the 95% limits of agreement (-0.26 to 1.57) without any evidence of systemic difference. Lin's ρc represented a weak concordance between PWVβ and aPWV (ρc = 0.122; 95% CI: 0.093-0.150). There was no difference in PWVβ between N and O, whereas aPWV was higher in O: 4.81 ± 0.42 m/s than in N: 4.65 ± 0.32 m/s (p < 0.001). The difference, Δ0.16 m/s, 95% CI [-0.25; -0.08], was significant, t ₍₁₂₁₎ = -3.76, p < 0.001, with a medium-sized effect. PWVβ (ultrasound) and aPWV (oscillometry) show a level of disagreement that includes clinically important discrepancies. A discrimination between normal and altered vascular function was possible with aPWV but not with PWVβ.

Aerobic fitness and physical activity are inversely associated with body fat, dyslipidemia and inflammatory mediators in children and adolescents living with HIV

This study aimed to investigate if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and aerobic fitness are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in HIV+ children and adolescents. Sixty-five children and adolescents (8 to 15 years) provided minutes of MVPA measured by accelerometers and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO₂) by breath-by-breath respiratory exchange. Cardiovascular risk factors were characterized by body fat, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and carotid intima-media thickness. Results indicated that higher MVPA was associated with lower values of total (β =  -3.566) and trunk body fat (β = -3.495), total cholesterol (β = -0.112) and LDL-c (β = -0.830). Likewise, higher peak VO₂ was associated with lower total (β = -0.629) and trunk body fat values (β = -0.592) and levels of CRP (β = -0.059). The physically active participants had lower total cholesterol (-24.4 mg.dL^-1) and LDL-c (-20.1 mg.dL^-1) compared to participants judged to be insufficiently active. Moreover, participants with satisfactory peak VO₂ showed lower total (-4.1%) and trunk (-4.3%) body fat, CRP (-2.3 mg.L^-1), IL-6 (-2.4 pg.mL^-1) and TNF-α (-1.0 pg.mL^-1) compared to low peak VO₂ peers. High levels of MVPA and aerobic fitness may prevent developing of cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents HIV+.

Dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation, and subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents infected with HIV: The PositHIVe Health Study

HIV-infected children and adolescents may be at risk for cardiovascular disease due to chronic inflammation and exacerbation of risk factors. The aim of this study was as follows: 1) compare cardiovascular risk factors, chronic inflammation, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMTc) between the HIV and control groups; 2) determine the association of HIV and antiretroviral (ART) regimens with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic inflammation, and IMTc; and 3) identify variables associated with elevated IMTc. Cross-sectional analysis of 130 children and adolescents, 8-15 years of age, divided into HIV-infected (n = 65) and healthy control (n = 65) participants. Body fat, blood pressure, glycemia, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and fractions (LDL-C and HDL-C), triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the IMTc were measured. The results showed HIV-infected children and adolescents had higher levels of glycemia (87.9 vs. 75.9 mg.dL-1, p< 0.001), LDL-c (94.7 vs. 79.5 mg.dL-1, p = 0.010), triglycerides (101.2 vs. 61.6 mg.dL-1, p< 0.001), CRP (1.6 vs. 1.0 mg.L-1, p = 0.007), IL-6 (1.42 vs. 0.01 pg.mL-1, p< 0.001), TNF-α (0.49 vs. 0.01 pg.mL-1, p< 0.001), mean IMTc (0.526 vs. 0.499 mm, p = 0.009), and lower HDL-c (53.7 vs. 69.4 mg.dL-1, p< 0.001) compared to controls. Systolic blood pressure (β = 0.006, p = 0.004) and TNF-α (β = -0.033, p = 0.029) accounted for 16% of IMTc variability in HIV-infected children and adolescents. In patients using protease inhibitors-based ART, male gender (β = -0.186, p = 0.008), trunk body fat (β = -0.011, p = 0.006), glucose (β = 0.005, p = 0.046), and IL-6 (β = 0.017, p = 0.039) accounted for 28% of IMTc variability. HIV-infected children and adolescents may be at risk for premature atherosclerosis due to chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia. Interventions with the potential to improve lipid profile, mitigate inflammation, and reduce cardiovascular risk are needed.

Comparison of ultrasound-measured properties of the common carotid artery to tobacco smoke exposure in a cohort of Indonesian patients

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to use point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to investigate the relationship between tobacco smoke exposure and the characteristics of the common carotid artery (CCA). The effect of both primary and secondary smoking on CCA properties was evaluated.

METHODS

We performed a prospective cross-sectional study across 20 primary care clinics in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia in July 2016. Point of care ultrasound was performed on a convenience sample of Indonesian patients presenting to clinic. The CCA wall stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were measured during diastole and systole. These measurements were correlated with smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

We enrolled 663 patients in the study, with 426 patients enrolled in the smoking category and 237 patients enrolled in the second-hand smoke category. There was an overall positive correlation with the measured lifestyle factors and the ultrasound-measured variables in the group of individuals who smoked. For all variables, age seemed to contribute the most out of all of the lifestyle factors for the positive changes in CIMT and CCA wall stiffness.

CONCLUSION

Our data yielded correlations between CCA properties and cardiovascular risk, as well as between CIMT and arterial stiffness. We were also able to demonstrate an increase in thickness of the CIMT in patients who have been exposed by tobacco through the use of ultrasound. Further large scale studies comparing patients with multiple cardiac risk factors need to be performed to confirm the utility of ultrasound findings of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Reduced arterial stiffness in very fit boys and girls

Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with higher cardiovascular risk, whereas high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness protect the cardiovascular system. Carotid intima-media thickness and arterial distensibility are well-established parameters to identify subclinical cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength on carotid intima-media thickness and arterial distensibility in 697 children and adolescents (376 girls), aged 7-17 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness and strength were measured with the test battery FITNESSGRAM; carotid intima-media thickness, arterial compliance, elastic modulus, stiffness index β, and pulse wave velocity β were assessed by B- and M-mode ultrasound at the common carotid artery. In bivariate correlation, cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with all cardiovascular parameters and was an independent predictor in multivariate regression analysis. No significant associations were obtained for muscular strength. In a one-way variance analysis, very fit boys and girls (58 boys and 74 girls>80th percentile for cardiorespiratory fitness) had significantly decreased stiffness parameters (expressed in standard deviation scores) compared with low fit subjects (71 boys and 77 girls<20th percentile for cardiorespiratory fitness): elastic modulus -0.16±1.02 versus 0.19±1.17, p=0.009; stiffness index β -0.15±1.08 versus 0.16±1.1, p=0.03; and pulse wave velocity β -0.19±1.02 versus 0.19±1.14, p=0.005. Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with healthier arteries in children and adolescents. Comparison of very fit with unfit subjects revealed better distensibility parameters in very fit boys and girls.

Intima-Media Thickness Does Not Differ between Two Common Carotid Artery Segments in Children

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a surrogate marker of early atherosclerotic changes in children. cIMT-studies are hard to compare, due to variations in ultrasound protocols, especially regarding the common carotid artery (CCA) segment measured in relation to the bulb. This study’s purpose was therefore to compare two distinct CCA segments in children, to see if cIMT values differ substantially according to the site of measurement. cIMT was assessed after power calculation in 30 children (15 girls) aged 8–17, using B-Mode ultrasound (5–13 MHz) at two CCA locations. The first measurement was performed over a distance of 1 cm immediately after the bulb (A), the second 1cm proximal the bulb (B) over the same distance of 1cm length. Means of end-diastolic far wall cIMT were compared between measurement A and B. cIMT in 30 participants was 0.51±0.06 mm for measurement A and 0.51±0.05 mm for measurement B. Results did not differ significantly (p = .947) over a distance of 2 cm after the bulb. According to our results, studies measuring CCA IMT within the first 2 cm, either close to the bulb or further proximal, can be compared. This will improve interpretation of data and application of reference values.

Intima-media thickness and arterial function in obese and non-obese children

Background

Obesity is an independent cardiovascular risk factor that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Subclinical forms of the disease can be assessed via sonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and distensibility – both may already be altered in childhood. As childhood obesity increases to an alarming extent, this study compares vascular data of obese with normal weight boys and girls to investigate the influence of obesity on cIMT and distensibility of the carotid arteries.

Methods

cIMT and distensibility of 46 obese children (27 girls) aged 7–17 years were compared with measures of 46 sex- and age-matched normal weight controls. cIMT and distensibility were measured by B- and M-mode ultrasound and expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS). Arterial distensibility was defined by arterial compliance (AC), elastic modulus (Ep), stiffness index β (β), and local pulse wave velocity β (PWV β).

Results

Obese girls had significantly stiffer arteries compared with normal weight girls (Ep SDS 0.64 ± 1.24 vs. 0 ± 1.06, β SDS 0.6 ± 1.17 vs. -0.01 ± 1.06 p < .01, PWV β 0.54 ± 1.2 vs. -0.12 ± 1.05 p < .05). No significant differences were observed for boys. In multiregression analysis, BMI significantly influenced Ep, β and PWV β but not cIMT and AC.

Conclusions

Obese girls seemed to be at higher cardiovascular risk than boys, expressed by stiffer arteries in obese girls compared with normal weight girls. Overall, BMI negatively influenced parameters of arterial stiffness (Ep, β and PWV β) but not compliance or cIMT.