Metabolic syndrome is related to vascular structural alterations but not to functional ones both in hypertensives and healthy subjects

Left versus right carotid artery IMT: differential impact of age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), an important clinical marker of atherosclerosis, is used widely in screening for cardiovascular risk and prognosis. Measurements of carotid artery IMT are made on both the left and right sides of the body, however as per the Mannheim consensus, an average of these measurements is usually reported. Nevertheless, there is considerable debate whether there are side differences in the carotid artery IMT in terms of both measurements and determinants. In a large sample of Caucasian patients (n = 1888) referred for cardiovascular risk assessment, we compared the left and the right common carotid artery IMT measurements, and assessed whether age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors have differential effects. We found that the left common carotid artery IMT (0.7141 ± 0.1733 mm) is larger than the right (0.6861 ± 0.1594, p < 0.0001), but not in the young (< 30 years) or the elderly (> 69 years), and that this side difference is less in women (0.019 ± 0.116 mm) than in men (0.036 ± 0.148 mm, p < 0.001). In addition to age (p < 0.0001) and gender (p < 0.0001), the left common carotid artery IMT was determined by dyslipidaemia (protective, p = 0.016) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.022); whereas the right common carotid artery IMT was determined by hypertension (p = 0.0002). The differential determinants of left versus right common carotid artery IMT were similar in men and women, and in young and old. In conclusion, side differences in measurements of the common carotid artery IMT depend upon age and gender. In addition, cardiovascular risk factors have differential effects on the left and right common carotid artery IMT.

BMI-based metabolic syndrome severity score and arterial stiffness in a cohort Chinese study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome severity z score(MetS-Z) and arterial stiffness(AS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 7621 participants who took three physical examination and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(ba-pwv) test from 2006 were enrolled. Cumulative MetS-Z(cMetS-Z) was calculated by using blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and BMI. AS was assessed by ba-pwv. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the risk of AS. All participants were divided into four groups according to cMetS-Z(Q1-Q4). The average age of the participants was 43.06 ± 8.91 years old. During a median follow-up of 6.27 years, 1831cases of AS were identified. The incident rate of AS increased gradually from group Q1 to Q4. Compared with the lowest cMetS-Z(group Q1), the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of group Q2-Q4 for AS were 1.27 (1.09-1.47),1.28(1.10-1.48) and 1.45 (1.24-1.69) respectively. The cubic spline model indicated cMetS-Z had a liner relationship with AS and the cut-off value was lower than zero. Sub-group analysis suggested cMetS-Z was related to AS especially among participants who were younger and without obesity or hypertension or diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Higher cMetS-Z was associated with an increased risk of AS in this cohort community study, and this relationship seemed to be stronger among normal healthy subjects.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-TNC-11001489.

CLINICAL TRIAL

January 1st 2006, ChiCTR-TNC-11001489 and 2011.

Strong Association of Metabolic Parameters with ADMA and VCAM-1 in Normo-Weight Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is linked to obesity. Subjects with MetS who have normo-weight potentially show higher mortality and morbidity.

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the critical essential metabolic parameters associated with endothelial dysfunction in MetS subjects with normo-weight compared to obese.

Patients and Methods

The study was designed using a case-control approach. Ninety-nine MetS subjects (34 Normo-weight and 65 obese) from the urban population were enrolled in this study. The components of MetS are based on NCEP/ATP III criteria. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) as markers for endothelial dysfunction were measured in both groups.

Results

Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were higher in the normo-weight group (143.38 ± 79.8 mg/dL) compared to the obese group (120.89 ± 46.5 mg/dL). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in the normo-weight group were lower (42.82 ± 10.1 mg/dL) compared to obesity (45.74 ± 9.3 mg/dL), while triacylglycerol (TAG) levels were higher in the obese (197.25 ± 110.5 mg/dL) compared to the normo-weight group (167.03 ± 98.4 mg/dL), although the differences were statistically not significant (all p > 0.05). The difference between ADMA and VCAM-1 levels was statistically not significant in both groups. Correlation between MetS components with endothelial dysfunction parameters shows that metabolic parameters correlate strongly. Interestingly, a stronger correlation between FBG and ADMA was observed in normo-weight (r = 0.519) compared to obese groups (r = 0.445). In addition, TAG consistently shows a significant correlation with ADMA and VCAM-1 in normo-weight groups.

Conclusion

Metabolic parameters, especially FBG and TAG, correlate strongly with endothelial dysfunction parameters in normo-weight subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Relationship between normal weight central obesity and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults with hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Normal weight central obesity (NWCO) is a category of obesity that is characterized by having a normal BMI and presence of abdominal obesity. Recently, studies have reported that NWCO was associated with the cardiovascular diseases. The researches exploring the relationship between NWCO and arterial stiffness are limited. So this study intended to investigate the relationship between NWCO and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults with hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study is a sub-study of the China H-type Hypertension Registry Study. We included 8580 Chinese hypertensive patients with normal weight (18.5 kg/m2 ≤BMI <24 kg/m2). Central obesity was defined as waist-height ratio ≥0.5, and participants were categorized into two groups: NWCO and normal weight and no central obesity (NWNO). Using the brachial-ankle pulse wave conduction velocity (baPWV) assessed the arterial stiffness. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate relationship between NWCO and baPWV. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate relationship between NWCO and arterial stiffness. Of 8580 participants, 4327 (50.4 %) were NWCO. The multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that people with NWCO had higher baPWV value (total people: β = 38.33, 95%CI 22.82-53.84; men: β = 39.87, 95%CI 18.43-61.32; women: β = 29.65, 95%CI 7.20-52.09) compared with NWNO. The baPWV ≥1800 cm/s was defined as arterial stiffness, and the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that people with NWCO associated higher arterial stiffness risk (total people: OR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.12-1.39; men: OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.11-1.50; women: OR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.01-1.38).

CONCLUSION

NWCO is significantly related to increased risk of arterial stiffness in Chinese adults with hypertension.

Secondary Prevention and Extreme Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation (SEVERE-1), Focus on Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors: The Study Protocol

INTRODUCTION

Despite significant improvement in secondary CardioVascular (CV) preventive strategies, some acute and chronic coronary syndrome (ACS and CCS) patients will suffer recurrent events (also called "extreme CV risk"). Recently new biochemical markers, such as uric acid (UA), lipoprotein A [Lp(a)] and several markers of inflammation, have been described to be associated with CV events recurrence. The SEcondary preVention and Extreme cardiovascular Risk Evaluation (SEVERE-1) study will accurately characterize extreme CV risk patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs.

AIM

 Our aims will be to describe the prevalence of extreme CV risk and its association with newly described biochemical CV risk factors.

AIM

Our aims will be to describe the prevalence of extreme CV risk and its association with newly described biochemical CV risk factors.

METHODS

We will prospectively enrol 730 ACS/CCS patients at the beginning of a CR program. Extreme CV risk will be retrospectively defined as the presence of a previous (within 2 years) CV events in the patients' clinical history. UA, Lp(a) and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and -18, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, calprotectin and osteoprotegerin) will be assessed in ACS/CCS patients with extreme CV risk and compared with those without extreme CV risk but also with two control groups: 1180 hypertensives and 765 healthy subjects. The association between these biomarkers and extreme CV risk will be assessed with a multivariable model and two scoring systems will be created for an accurate identification of extreme CV risk patients. The first one will use only clinical variables while the second one will introduce the biochemical markers. Finally, by exome sequencing we will both evaluate polygenic risk score ability to predict recurrent events and perform mendellian randomization analysis on CV biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study proposal was granted by the European Union PNRR M6/C2 call. With this study we will give definitive data on extreme CV risk prevalence rising attention on this condition and leading cardiologist to do a better diagnosis and to carry out a more intensive treatment optimization that will finally leads to a reduction of future ACS recurrence. This will be even more important for cardiologists working in CR that is a very important place for CV risk definition and therapies refinement.

The Impact of the Blood Lipids Levels on Arterial Stiffness

Arterial stiffness is a recognized predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and death. It is an early indicator of arteriosclerosis and is influenced by numerous risk factors and biological processes. The lipid metabolism is crucial and standard blood lipids, non-conventional lipid markers and lipid ratios are associated with arterial stiffness. The objective of this review was to determine which lipid metabolism marker has a greater correlation with vascular aging and arterial stiffness. Triglycerides (TG) are the standard blood lipids that have the strongest associations with arterial stiffness, and are often linked to the early stages of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with low LDL-C levels. Studies often show that lipid ratios perform better overall than any of the individual variables used alone. The relation between arterial stiffness and TG/HDL-C has the strongest evidence. It is the lipid profile of atherogenic dyslipidemia that is found in several chronic cardio-metabolic disorders, and is considered one of the main causes of lipid-dependent residual risk, regardless of LDL-C concentration. Recently, the use of alternative lipid parameters has also been increasing. Both non-HDL and ApoB are very well correlated with arterial stiffness. Remnant cholesterol is also a promising alternative lipid parameter. The findings of this review suggest that the main focus should be on blood lipids and arterial stiffness, especially in individuals with cardio-metabolic disorders and residual cardiovascular risk.

Utility of Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity for Tracking the Arterial Response to Prolonged Sitting

Background: Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is a purported mechanism linking sedentary behavior to cardiovascular disease. This secondary analysis compared associations between measured carotid−femoral PWV (cfPWV) and carotid−radial (crPWV) responses to an acute bout of prolonged sitting with mathematically estimated cfPWV (ePWV). Methods: Overweight/obese adults with elevated blood pressure were enrolled (n = 25; 42 ± 12 yrs; 64% males). Participants performed an 8 h simulated workday of mostly sitting. cfPWV and crPWV were measured while supine in the morning, midday, and afternoon. ePWV was calculated at the same timepoints using age and seated mean arterial pressure (MAP). Pearson correlation coefficients associated ePWV with cfPWV and crPWV. Generalized linear models separately examined the effects of time on cfPWV, crPWV, and ePWV. Results: ePWV significantly associated with cfPWV and crPWV (r = 0.69 and 0.55, respectively; p < 0.05) in the morning (baseline). cfPWV significantly increased over time (β = 0.52 ± 0.20 and 0.48 ± 0.21 with and without MAP adjustment, respectively; p < 0.05). In contrast, ePWV and crPWV did not significantly increase overtime (β = 0.14 ± 0.09 and 0.25 ± 0.23, respectively; p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that, although ePWV is associated with cfPWV and crPWV at a fixed timepoint, ePWV responds differently to prolonged sitting and likely does not capture the same acute vascular responses.

Arterial Stiffness Assessment by Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: Is It a Useful Tool in Clinical Practice?

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is not a single disease but a cluster of metabolic disorders associated with increased risk for development of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Currently, the definition of MS published in 2009 is widely used, but there are more versions of the diagnostic criteria, making it difficult to conduct scientific discourse in this area. Increased arterial stiffness (AS) can predict the development of cardiovascular disease both in the general population and in patients with MS. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), as a standard method to assess AS, may point out subclinical organ damage in patients with hypertension. The decrease in PWV level during antihypertensive therapy can identify a group of patients with better outcomes independently of their reduction in blood pressure. The adverse effect of metabolic disturbances on arterial function can be offset by an adequate program of exercises, which includes mainly aerobic physical training. Non-insulin-based insulin resistance index can predict AS due to a strong positive correlation with PWV. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the review of the literature concerning the relationship between MS and its components, and AS assessed by PWV, including clinical usefulness of PWV measurement in patients with MS and its components.

Association of Nondiabetic Glucometabolic Status and Aortic Stiffness in Community Hypertension Patients

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is most commonly associated with aortic stiffness, but the importance of nondiabetic glucometabolic status for aortic stiffness (AS) in hypertension patients is unclear.

METHODS

We included 1065 hypertension patients without diabetes in a cohort study. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) >10 m/s can broadly be defined as AS. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis are used to reveal the relationship between elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) and AS.

RESULTS

The 1065 hypertension patients (mean age 60 years) included 48% male, 22% smokers, 94.3% with anti-hypertensive drugs, 17.9% with AS, 80% with abdominal obesity, 42% with elevated triglycerides (TG), and 27% with elevated FBG. The mean values for office systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and central SBP/DBP were 130/85mmHg and 132/86mmHg. Mean cfPWV was 8.7m/s. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, office SBP, and elevated FBG were independently related to AS in the whole hypertension. Elevated FBG had 1.6-fold risk of AS in hypertension patients compared with below the cutoff. In subgroup analysis, elevated FBG increased 2.68-fold risk for AS in those without metabolic syndrome (MS), not in MS. The area under curve (AUC) of office SBP was higher than central SBP for AS in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

CONCLUSION

We found that elevated FBG was an independent risk factor for AS in hypertension patients without MS, although there was a high proportion of abdominal obesity. Office SBP was better than central SBP to assess AS in community hypertension.

Association Between Lipid Accumulation Product and Target Organ Damage in Elderly Population: The Northern Shanghai Study

Introduction

Lipid accumulation product (LAP), calculated from waist circumference (WC) and triglycerides (TG), is a novel index that correlates cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the relationship between LAP and target organ damage (TOD) in elderly Chinese community-dwelling individuals.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 3363 participants whose age was ≥65 years old. TOD, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), arterial stiffness (AS), lower extremity atherosclerotic (LEA), micro-albuminuria (MAU) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), was measured using standard methods. LAP was calculated as (WC–65) × TG in men and (WC–58) × TG in women. Both quartiles and continuation of LAP were analyzed.

Results

Age-sex adjusted partial correlation analysis showed that LAP was significantly associated with CVD risk factors. With the first quartile (Q1) as a reference, in univariate logistic regression, the fourth quartile (Q4) of LAP was associated with all TOD. In multivariate model, Q4 of LAP was only associated with an increased risk of AS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37–2.58, P_{for trend}< 0.001), MAU (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01–1.75, P_{for trend}= 0.02) and CKD (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.39–4.12, P_{for trend}< 0.001). But, Q4 of LAP was not associated with an increased risk of LVH (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.85–1.65, P_{for trend}= 0.25) or LEA (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.58–1.29, P_{for trend}= 0.96). Similar associations were found when analyzed continuously.

Conclusion

The novel metabolic parameter LAP is significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness, chronic kidney disease and micro-albuminuria in Chinese community-dwelling elderly individuals.