Aortic stiffness improves the prediction of both diagnosis and severity of coronary artery disease

Endovascular aortic repair impact on myocardial contractility: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to estimate if the altered sphygmic wave transmission may affect the left ventricular (LV) contractile function in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

METHODS

A prospective single-centre study was carried out on consecutive patients undergoing EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm. A preoperative and 6-month single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with arterial stiffness measurement were performed to evaluate variations in pressure wave curve and myocardial perfusion parameters.

RESULTS

From 2018 to 2020 a total of 16 patients were included in the study. Among the parameters evaluated, we found a measurable reduction of the reflected wave transit time from pre- to postoperative period, for both stress (115.13 ± 7.2 ms-111.1 ± 7.0 ms, p = .08) and rest SPECT acquisitions (115.3 ± 6.2 ms-112.2 ± 5.6 ms, p = .1). Unidirectional increase of both LV end-systolic volume (34 ± 9 mL-39 ± 8 mL, p = .02) and end-diastolic volume (85 ± 34 mL-89 ± 29 mL, p = .6) was also observed. Lastly, the ratio between the end-systolic pressure and the end-systolic volume (maximal systolic myocardial stiffness) decreased from 3.6 ± 1.5 mmHg/mL to 2.66 ± .74 mmHg/mL (p = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that EVAR induced an altered transmission of the sphygmic wave associated with an early LV contractile impairment.

Characteristics of four-limb blood pressure and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in Chinese patients with Takayasu arteritis

Purpose: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare disease, which is frequently misdiagnosed or its diagnosis can be missed. This study aimed to analyse the characteristics of four-limb blood pressure (4LBP) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in patients with TA, which could be useful in disease detection.Materials and Methods: We consecutively enrolled 182 patients with TA at Fuwai Hospital between January 2013 and January 2016. Pulse pressure (PP), pulsatile index (PI), inter-arm systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference (IASBPD), inter-leg SBP difference (ILSBPD), ankle-brachial index (ABI), baPWV, and inter-side baPWV difference (ΔbaPWV) were analysed and compared with those of age-, sex-, and SBP-matched participants without cardiovascular diseases.Results: In the TA group, the diastolic blood pressure was lower (67.4 ± 23.7 vs 84.1 ± 15.0 mmHg), PP was larger (69.7 ± 23.6 vs 53.7 ± 10.6 mmHg), PI was higher (1.3 ± 2.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 mmHg), IASBPD was larger (18.2 ± 24.1 vs 4.2 ± 3.3 mmHg), and ILSBPD was larger (10.7 ± 15.0 vs 5.3 ± 4.1 mmHg) than those of the controls (all p < 0.01). Moreover, the proportions of PP >70 mmHg (36.8% vs 4.4%), PI > 1.0 (40.1% vs 2.2%), IASBPD >15 mmHg (34.6% vs. 0%), highest ABI >1.4 (17.6% vs. 0%), ILSBPD >15 mmHg (14.8% vs. 3.3%), lowest ABI < 0.9 (24.7% vs 2.2%), and ΔbaPWV > 185 cm/s (28.6% vs. 1.1%) were significantly greater in the TA group than in the control group (all p < 0.01). Approximately 80.8% of patients with TA (vs. 10.4% of controls) presented with at least one of these seven parameters (p = 0.000).Conclusion: The characteristics of 4LBP and baPWV in most patients with TA were abnormal, which helped us perform non-invasive primary screening and comprehensive evaluation of vascular lesions in such patients.

Pulsatile Hemodynamics and Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of human death and has a high prevalence throughout the world. Therefore, it is important to detect CAD early and to apply individualized therapy according to the patients' risk. There is an increasing interest in pulsatile arterial hemodynamics in the cardiovascular area. Widely used measurements of arterial pulsatile hemodynamics include pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Here, we will review underlying pathophysiology linking the association of arterial pulsatile hemodynamics with CAD, and the usefulness of the measurements of pulsatile hemodynamics in the prediction of future cardiovascular events of CAD patients. Clinical and therapeutic implications will be also addressed.

Ventricular-arterial coupling: definition, pathophysiology and therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

The heart and arterial system are equally affected by arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis. There is a constant interaction between the left ventricular (LV) function and the arterial system, termed ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC), which reflects the global cardiovascular efficiency. VAC is traditionally assessed by echocardiography as the ratio of effective arterial elastance (E_a) over end-systolic elastance (E_es) (E_a/E_es). However, the concept of VAC is evolving and new methods have been proposed such as the ratio of pulse wave velocity (PWV) to global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work index.

AREA COVERED

This clinical review presents the hemodynamic background of VAC, its clinical implications and the impact of therapeutic interventions to normalize VAC. The review also summarizes the detrimental effects of cardio-metabolic risk factors on the aorta and LV, and provides an update on arterial load and its impact on LV function. The narrative review is based upon a systemic search of the bibliographic database PubMed for publications on VAC.

EXPERT OPINION

Newer methods such as PWV/GLS-ratio may be a superior marker of VAC than the traditional echocardiographic E_a/E_es in predicting target organ damage and its association with clinical outcomes. Novel anti-diabetic drugs and optimal antihypertensive treatment may normalize VAC in high-risk patients.

Role of increased central arterial stiffness in macro and microvascular damage in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart disease frequently have renal dysfunction manifested by a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and / or increase of albuminuria.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to study the possible role of increased aortic stiffness in the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and kidney dysfunction in a group of patients with suspected CAD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied forty-eight patients undergoing coronariography for suspected coronary disease (CAD). Using applanation tonometry on the radial artery and applying a transfer function, central blood pressure values were calculated. The study of aortic stiffness was done by determining the carotid-femoral pulse velocity (Pv_c-f).

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients, 11 had no significant coronary lesions, 24 showed significant lesions in 1 or 2 coronary arteries and 13 in ≥ 3 arteries. The group with a higher degree of CD had significantly higher cPP values than the group without CD. The Pv_c-f increased progressively and significantly with the degree of CD. The logistic regression showed that Pv_c-f independently predicted the presence of CD. The relative risk of CD increased 2.5 times for each meter of increase in Pv_c-f. The GFR was negatively and significantly correlated with age and Pv_c-f was associated with albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stable CD, Pv_c-f, expression of aortic stiffness, is independently associated with the existence of CD and its degree of extension. The increase in arterial stiffness also participates in the decrease in GFR and in the increase in albuminuria.

Incremental value of carotid elasticity modulus using shear wave elastography for identifying coronary artery disease in patients without carotid plaque

BACKGROUND

Shear wave elastography (SWE) directly quantifies the local arterial wall stiffness by calculating the elastic modulus. However, whether carotid wall elastic modulus can predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well known. We aimed to investigate the value of carotid wall elastic modulus measured using SWE in identifying obstructive CAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 61 patients without carotid plaque referred for clinically indicated coronary angiography. Twenty-seven (44.3%) patients were diagnosed with obstructive CAD (≥50% coronary stenosis). The elastic modulus of common carotid artery was quantified using SWE. Ankle--brachial index (ABI) and echocardiographic global cardiac calcium score (GCCS) were measured.

RESULTS

Patients with obstructive CAD had significantly higher elastic modulus than those without obstructive CAD. The maximum elastic modulus (EMmax) was independently associated with obstructive CAD after adjusting for the Framingham risk score, ABI, and GCCS. EMmax had the highest area under the curve (AUC) to identify obstructive CAD (AUC 0.70; P = 0.003). In the nested models, the model based on the Framingham risk score and ABI (χ2 = 3.74) improved by adding GCCS (χ2 = 9.95) and further improved by adding EMmax (χ2 = 15.86). Adding EMmax to the combined ABI and GCCS model increased integrated discrimination index from 0.10 to 0.19.

CONCLUSION

Carotid wall elastic modulus measured using SWE is a useful predictor of obstructive CAD in patients without carotid plaque. We demonstrated the incremental and independent value of carotid wall elastic modulus in identifying obstructive CAD compared with clinical risk factors and other imaging predictors, including ABI and GCCS.

VIDEO ABSTRACT

Please see the video, in Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/HJH/B551 for more insights from the authors.

[Relationship between arterial stiffness and the severity of coronary artery disease in acute coronary syndrome]

BACKGROUND

The association between arterial stiffness (AS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has been previously demonstrated. Whether increased arterial stiffness is associated with severe CAD in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is less explored.

AIM

We aim to investigate the relationship between AS parameters and the extent and severity of CAD in patients with ACS.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 275 patients with ACS. We measured various AS parameters including pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and central pulse pressure (cPP). CAD extent and severity was evaluated by the number of vessels with greater than 70% stenosis.

RESULTS

The study population was predominantly men (77, 5%) with an average age of 56, 4±10, 6 years. One hundred and fifteen patients were diabetic and 97 were hypertensive. One hundred fifty patients were admitted for ST elevation myocardial infarction (54, 5%) and 37, 5% for non ST elevation myocardial infarction. Thirty six percent of patients had single vessel disease and 47, 6% of the study population had multivessel disease. At the multivariate analysis, a positive correlation was observed between the number of coronary vessels disease and PWV. PWV (OR=1,272; IC95% [1,090; 1,483]; p=0,002) and cPP (OR=1,071; IC95% [1,024; 1,121]; p=0,003) were also independent predictors of multivessel disease.

CONCLUSION

In patient with ACS, PWV is correlated with the extent of coronary artery disease, as measured by the number of vessels disease. PWV and cPP were also independent predictors of multivessel disease.

Coronary heart disease diagnosis by artificial neural networks including aortic pulse wave velocity index and clinical parameters

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), are the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. CHD is not entirely predicted by classic risk factors; however, they are preventable. Facing this major problem, the development of novel methods for CHD risk prediction is of practical interest. The purpose of our study was to construct an artificial neural networks (ANNs)-based diagnostic model for CHD risk using a complex of clinical and haemodynamics factors of this disease and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) index.

METHODS

A total of 437 patients were included from 2012 to 2017: 99 CHD and 338 non-CHD patients. Theoretical PWV was calculated, on 93 patients free of hypertension, diabetes and CHD, according to age, blood pressure, sex and heart rate. The results were expressed as an index [(measured PWV - theoretical PWV)/theoretical PWV] for each patient. The original database for ANNs included clinical, haemodynamic and laboratory characteristics. Multilayered perceptron ANNs architecture were applied. The performance of prediction was evaluated by accuracy values based on standard definitions.

RESULTS

By changing the types of ANNs and the number of input factors applied, we created models that demonstrated 0.63-0.93 accuracy. The best accuracy was obtained with ANNs topology of multilayer perceptron with three hidden layers for models, parameters included by both biological factors, carotid plaque and PWV index.

CONCLUSION

ANNs models including a PWV index could be used as promising approaches for predicting CHD risk without the need for invasive diagnostic methods and may help in the clinical decision.

Usefulness of the SAGE score to predict elevated values of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in Japanese subjects with hypertension

The score based on the office systolic blood pressure, age, fasting blood glucose level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (SAGE score) has been proposed as a useful marker to identify elevated values of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). The present cross-sectional study was conducted to examine whether the SAGE score is also a useful marker to identify subjects with elevated brachial-ankle PWV values in Japanese subjects with hypertension. We measured the brachial-ankle PWV and calculated the SAGE score in a total of 1019 employees of a Japanese company with hypertension and 817 subjects with hypertension derived from a multicenter study cohort. The analyses in this study were based on data from these two study groups as well as on a composite population of the two (n = 1836). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve to identify subjects with brachial-ankle PWV values of ≥1800 cm/s was over 0.70 in each of the three study groups. Even after adjustments, a SAGE score ≥7 had a significant odds ratio for identifying subjects with brachial-ankle PWV values ≥1800 cm/s in the 1836 study subjects from the composite occupational and multicenter study cohort (odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-3.0, P < 0.01). Thus, in Japanese subjects with hypertension, the SAGE score may be a useful marker for identifying subjects with elevated brachial-ankle PWV values.

Arterial Stiffness and Coronary Ischemia: New Aspects and Paradigms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aortic stiffness (AS) is widely associated with hypertension and considered as a major predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD). AS is measured using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), particularly when this parameter is associated with an index involving age, gender, heart rate, and mean blood pressure. The present review focuses on the interest of measurement of PWV and the calculation of individual PWV index for the prediction of CHD, in addition with the use of new statistical nonlinear models enabling results with very high levels of accuracy.

RECENT FINDINGS

PWV index may so constitute a substantial marker of large arteries prediction and damage in CHD and may be also used in cerebrovascular and renal circulations models. PWV index determinations are particularly relevant to consider in angiographic CHD decisions and in the presence of vulnerable plaques with high cardiovascular risk. Due to the variability in symptoms and clinical characteristics of patients, together with some imperfections in results, there is no very simple adequate diagnosis approach enabling to improve the so defined CHD prediction in usual clinical practice. In recent works in relation to "artificial intelligence" and involving "decision tree" models and "artificial neural networks," it has been possible to determine consistent pathways introducing predictive medicine and enabling to obtain efficient algorithm classification models of coronary prediction.

Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity Versus Its Stiffness Index β-Transformed Value as Risk Marker for Cardiovascular Disease

Background

The difference in the predictive ability of the brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and its stiffness index β‐transformed value (β‐baPWV, ie, baPWV adjusted for the pulse pressure) for the development of pathophysiological abnormalities related to cardiovascular disease or future occurrence of cardiovascular disease was examined.

Methods and Results

In study 1, a 7‐year prospective observational study in cohorts of 3274 men and 3490 men, the area under the curve in the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was higher for baPWV than for β‐baPWV for predicting the development of hypertension (0.73, 95% CI=0.70 to 0.75 versus 0.59, 95% CI=0.56 to 0.62; P<0.01) and/or the development of retinopathy (0.78, 95% CI=0.73 to 0.82 versus 0.66, 95% CI=0.60 to 0.71; P<0.01) by the end of the study period. During study 2, a 3‐year observation period on 511 patients with coronary artery disease, 72 cardiovascular events were confirmed. The C statistics of both markers for predicting the development of cardiovascular events were similar.

Conclusions

Stiffness index β transformation of the baPWV may attenuate the significance of the baPWV as a risk marker for development of pathophysiological abnormalities related to cardiovascular disease in male subjects.

Application of a decision tree to establish factors associated with a nomogram of aortic stiffness

Aortic stiffness is a marker of vascular aging and may reflect occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of aortic stiffness, can be measured by applanation tonometry. A nomogram of aortic stiffness was evaluated by the calculation of PWV index. Theoretical PWV can be calculated according to age, gender, mean blood pressure, and heart rate, allowing to form an individual PWV index [(measured PWV - theoretical PWV)/theoretical PWV]. The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the determinants of the PWV index, by applying a decision tree. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2012 to 2017, and 597 individuals were included. A training decision tree was constructed based on seventy percent of these subjects (N = 428). The remaining 30% (N = 169) were used as the testing dataset to evaluate the performance of the decision trees. The input variables for the models were clinical and biochemical parameters. The different input variables remained in the model were diabetes, tobacco status, carotid plaque, albuminuria, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, BMI, and previous CV diseases. For the validation decision model, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values for identifying the related risk factors of PWV index were 70%, 78%, and 0.73. Since determinants of PWV index were all well-accepted CV risk factors, a nomogram of aortic stiffness could be considered as an integrator of CV risk factors on their duration of exposure and could be utilized to develop future programs for CV risk assessment and reduction strategies.

Added value of aortic pulse wave velocity index for the detection of coronary heart disease by elective coronary angiography

Background: Non-invasive tests leading to elective coronary angiography (CAG) have low diagnostic yield for obstructive coronary heart disease (CHD). Aortic stiffness, an independent predictor of CHD events can be easily measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV). We aimed at retrospectively evaluating the diagnostic accuracy PWV index to detect CHD in consecutive patients with suspected CHD that underwent CAG.Method: In population of 86 healthy patients with available PWV data, a theoretical PWV was derived. In different population of 62 individuals who underwent CAG for suspected CHD, PWV index was calculated as index [(measured PWV - theoretical PWV)/theoretical PWV]. Logistic regression and comparisons between ROC curves were used to add value of CAG indication performance of PWV index.Results: Out of 62, seventeen patients presented obstructive CHD and 22 patients had non-obstructive CHD. PWV index and severity of CHD were positively correlated (p < 0.0001). After applying several models that included classical CHD predictor, the higher performance to detect abnormal CAG was obtained with the combined classifier PWV index/carotid plaque with 87% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 0.92 accuracy and 0.31 threshold. To detect obstructive CAG, individual classifier PWV index presents 94% sensitivity, 91% specificity, 0.95 accuracy and 0.46 threshold.Conclusion: PWV index is individualized approach that optimizes CHD diagnostic strategies and thus might be clinically useful for reducing the rate of unnecessary invasive CAG.

Impact of aortic stiffness on myocardial ischaemia in non-obstructive coronary artery disease

Objective

High aortic stiffness may reduce myocardial perfusion pressure and contribute to development of myocardial ischaemia. Whether high aortic stiffness is associated with myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is less explored.

Methods

Aortic stiffness was assessed as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) by applanation tonometry in 125 patients (62±8 years, 58% women) with stable angina and non-obstructive CAD participating in the Myocardial Ischemia in Non-obstructive CAD project. PWV in the highest tertile (>8.7 m/s) was taken as higher aortic stiffness. Stress-induced myocardial ischaemia was detected as delayed myocardial contrast replenishment during stress echocardiography, and the number of left ventricular (LV) segments with delayed contrast replenishment as the extent of ischaemia.

Results

Patients with higher aortic stiffness were older with higher LV mass index and lower prevalence of obesity (all p<0.05), while angina symptoms, sex, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, smoking or LV ejection fraction did not differ between groups. Stress-induced myocardial ischaemia was more common (73% vs 42%, p=0.001) and the extent of ischaemia was larger (4±3 vs 2±3 LV segments, p=0.005) in patients with higher aortic stiffness. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher aortic stiffness was associated with stress-induced myocardial ischaemia independent of other known covariables (OR 4.74 (95% CI 1.51 to 14.93), p=0.008).

Conclusions

In patients with stable angina and non-obstructive CAD, higher aortic stiffness was associated with stress-induced myocardial ischaemia. Consequently, assessment of aortic stiffness may add to the diagnostic evaluation in patients with non-obstructive CAD.

Trial registration number

NCT01853527.

Diazepam as an oral hypnotic increases nocturnal blood pressure in the elderly

BACKGROUND

No study has evaluated the cardiovascular effects of diazepam in elderly subjects that assume diazepam to induce sleep.

PURPOSE

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of diazepam as hypnotic drug on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in healthy elderly subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Healthy, elderly subjects, aged 65-74 years, were treated with diazepam 5 mg or placebo-both administered once a day in the evening-for 4 weeks in two cross-over periods, each separated by a 2-week placebo period, according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. At the end of each study period, clinical as well as 24-h ambulatory BP and HR were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 25 subjects were included in the analysis. At the end of a 4-week diazepam treatment, clinical as well 24-h BP and HR mean values were not significantly affected. Analysis of sub-periods showed that during night-time, systolic BP (SBP) values under diazepam were 7.6% higher than under placebo, with a mean difference of 7.9 mmHg (p < 0.01), diastolic BP (DBP) values were 5.8% higher, with a mean difference of 3.7 mmHg (p < 0.05 vs placebo) and HR values were 6.6% higher with a mean difference of 4.2 b/min (p < 0.05). The HR increase observed with diazepam persisted during the morning hours, whereas during the afternoon and evening hours SBP, DBP and HR values were similar in the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly subjects chronic assumption of diazepam as hypnotic agent produced an increase in BP, in particular SBP, during night-time and of HR during night-time and morning hours. These effects, which probably depend on a diazepam-mediated increase in sympathetic drive and decrease in vagal tone, might be of clinical relevance due to the role of increased BP and HR as independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Added Value of Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Index in a Predictive Diagnosis Decision Tree of Coronary Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is among the main causes of death in the world. Individual study of cardiovascular risk is an important way to predict CHD risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the added role of the aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) index in the prediction of CHD risk.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to September 2017; 530 patients were included: 99 CHD, 338 non-CHD patients, and 93 nonhypertensives, nondiabetics and non-CHD subjects, whose theoretical PWV were calculated. Theoretical PWV was calculated according to age, blood pressure, gender, and heart rate. The results were expressed as an index ((measured PWV - theoretical PWV)/theoretical PWV) for each patient. The differences observed, the differential diagnostic performance, and the quantification of the added value of diagnostic performance of PWV index were tested using logistic regression, comparisons between receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision tree nonlinear methodology.

RESULTS

PWV index (P = 0.006), carotid plaque (P = 0.005), and dyslipidemia (P = 0.04) were the independent modulators of CHD diagnosis. PWV index appears to be the highest specific classifier (81%) compared to carotid plaque (75%) and dyslipidemia (78%). For the decision tree, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve for CHD diagnosis were 62%, 83%, and 0.87, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PWV index yielded added value to CHD by assessment of combined classifiers with clinical determinants and decision tree construction and significantly increased the specificity of the differential diagnostic performances of the common risk factors of CHD in daily clinical practice.