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Lamprou S, Koletsos N, Zografou I, Lazaridis A, Mintziori G, Trakatelli CM, Kotsis V, Gkaliagkousi E, Doumas M, Triantafyllou A. Skin Microvascular Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis and Association with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4957. [PMID: 39201096 PMCID: PMC11355809 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: It is established that diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by increased cardiovascular risk associated with subclinical atherosclerosis as well as microvascular alterations. Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is an innovative, non-invasive method for assessing skin microvascular function. Objectives: We sought to assess skin microvascular function in patients with type 2 DM and matched controls. Methods: Consecutive patients with DM and individuals matched for age, sex and BMI were included in the study. Skin microvascular perfusion was assessed, using LASCA, during baseline, a 5 min occlusion period and a 5 min reperfusion period. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured as a surrogate marker of macrocirculation. Results: In total, 18 patients with DM and 22 in the control group were enrolled. No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline flux, peak flux and percentage decrease during arterial occlusion. During reperfusion, individuals with DM exhibited a smaller peak magnitude compared to controls (147.0 ± 64.7% vs. 189.4 ± 46.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, cIMT was higher in patients with DM compared to controls (0.68 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.60 ± 0.08 mm, respectively, p < 0.01) and was negatively correlated with skin microvascular reactivity in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, glucose and office systolic blood pressure levels remained significant predictors of microvascular reactivity. Conclusions: Our study shows that patients with type 2 DM exhibit impaired skin microvascular function compared to controls. Furthermore, glucose levels and blood pressure play a key role in microvascular dysfunction. However, additional studies are needed to address the clinical significance of early microvascular changes in DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stamatina Lamprou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Nikolaos Koletsos
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Ioanna Zografou
- Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.Z.); (M.D.)
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Gesthimani Mintziori
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Christina Maria Trakatelli
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Vasilios Kotsis
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Michael Doumas
- Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.Z.); (M.D.)
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.L.); (A.L.); (C.M.T.); (V.K.); (E.G.); (A.T.)
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Koletsos N, Lazaridis A, Triantafyllou A, Anyfanti P, Lamprou S, Stoimeni A, Papadopoulos NG, Koravou EE, Gkaliagkousi E. Accumulation of Microvascular Target Organ Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Is Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Risk. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2140. [PMID: 38610905 PMCID: PMC11012611 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) burden. Besides increased arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis, microvascular dysfunction is considered an important component in the pathophysiology of CV disease. However, there is a lack of data regarding the effect of multiple target organ damage (TOD) on CV health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate (i) the presence of microvascular changes in SLE in various vascular beds, (ii) the possible associations between the accumulation of microvascular TOD and CV risk and (iii) whether Galectin-3 represents a predictor of combined microvascular TOD. Methods: Participants underwent (i) evaluation of skin microvascular perfusion (laser speckle contrast analysis), (ii) fundoscopy (non-mydriatic fundus camera), (iii) indirect assessment of myocardial perfusion (subendocardial viability ratio) and (iv) determination of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). CV risk was calculated using the QResearch Risk Estimator version 3 (QRISK3). Serum Galectin-3 levels were determined. Results: Forty-seven SLE patients and fifty controls were studied. SLE patients demonstrated impaired skin microvascular reactivity (160.2 ± 41.0 vs. 203.6 ± 40.1%), retinal arteriolar narrowing (88.1 ± 11.1 vs. 94.6 ± 13.5 μm) and higher UACR levels compared to controls. Furthermore, SLE individuals had significantly higher Galectin-3 levels [21.5(6.1) vs. 6.6(6.6) ng/dL], QRISK3 scores [7.0(8.6) vs. 1.3(3.6)%] and a greater chance for microvascular dysfunction. In the SLE group, patients with multiple TOD exhibited higher QRISK3. In the multivariate analysis, the accumulation of TOD correlated with disease activity and Galectin-3 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed for the first time that SLE patients exhibit a greater number of cases of TOD. The accumulation of TOD was associated with increased CV risk. Clinicians dealing with SLE should be aware and seek microvascular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Koletsos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Stamatina Lamprou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Anastasia Stoimeni
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
| | | | | | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.L.); (A.T.); (S.L.); (A.S.); (E.G.)
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Ambler WG, Kaplan MJ. Vascular damage in systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:251-265. [PMID: 38172627 PMCID: PMC11391830 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00797-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Vascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although comorbid cardiovascular risk factors are frequently present in patients with SLE, they do not explain the high burden of premature vascular disease. Profound innate and adaptive immune dysregulation seems to be the primary driver of accelerated vascular damage in SLE. In particular, evidence suggests that dysregulation of type 1 interferon (IFN-I) and aberrant neutrophils have key roles in the pathogenesis of vascular damage. IFN-I promotes endothelial dysfunction directly via effects on endothelial cells and indirectly via priming of immune cells that contribute to vascular damage. SLE neutrophils are vasculopathic in part because of their increased ability to form immunostimulatory neutrophil extracellular traps. Despite improvements in clinical care, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality among patients with SLE, and treatments that improve vascular outcomes are urgently needed. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of vascular injury in inflammatory conditions such as SLE could also have implications for common cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, and may ultimately lead to personalized therapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment of this potentially fatal complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Ambler
- Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mariana J Kaplan
- Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Triantafyllou A, Anyfanti P, Koletsos N, Malliora A, Lamprou S, Dipla K, Gkaliagkousi E. Clinical Significance of Altered Vascular Morphology and Function in Normotension. Curr Hypertens Rep 2023; 25:287-297. [PMID: 37392357 PMCID: PMC10505095 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review current literature examining the presence of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations in normotensive individuals and their clinical significance in terms of hypertension prediction. Emphasis is placed on alterations that can be detected in peripheral vascular beds using non-invasive, easily applicable methodology, as these are in general easier to capture and evaluate in clinical practice compared to more complex invasive or functional tests. RECENT FINDINGS Arterial stiffness, increased carotid intima-media thickness, and altered retinal microvascular diameters predict the progression from the normotensive to the hypertensive state. By contrast, there is substantial lack of relevant prospective studies for skin microvascular alterations. Although conclusions regarding causality cannot be safely deduced from available studies, detection of morphological and functional vascular alterations in normotensive individuals emerges as a sensitive indicator of progression to hypertension and hence increased CVD risk. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that early detection of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations would be clinically useful for the early identification of individuals at high risk for future hypertension onset. Methodological issues and gaps in knowledge need to be addressed before detection of such changes could guide the development of strategies to prevent new-onset hypertension in normotensive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Triantafyllou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - P Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - N Koletsos
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A Malliora
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S Lamprou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - K Dipla
- Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 62100, Serres, Greece
| | - E Gkaliagkousi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Mengozzi A, de Ciuceis C, Dell'oro R, Georgiopoulos G, Lazaridis A, Nosalski R, Pavlidis G, Tual-Chalot S, Agabiti-Rosei C, Anyfanti P, Camargo LL, Dąbrowska E, Quarti-Trevano F, Hellmann M, Masi S, Mavraganis G, Montezano AC, Rios FJ, Winklewski PJ, Wolf J, Costantino S, Gkaliagkousi E, Grassi G, Guzik TJ, Ikonomidis I, Narkiewicz K, Paneni F, Rizzoni D, Stamatelopoulos K, Stellos K, Taddei S, Touyz RM, Triantafyllou A, Virdis A. The importance of microvascular inflammation in ageing and age-related diseases: a position paper from the ESH working group on small arteries, section of microvascular inflammation. J Hypertens 2023; 41:1521-1543. [PMID: 37382158 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Microcirculation is pervasive and orchestrates a profound regulatory cross-talk with the surrounding tissue and organs. Similarly, it is one of the earliest biological systems targeted by environmental stressors and consequently involved in the development and progression of ageing and age-related disease. Microvascular dysfunction, if not targeted, leads to a steady derangement of the phenotype, which cumulates comorbidities and eventually results in a nonrescuable, very high-cardiovascular risk. Along the broad spectrum of pathologies, both shared and distinct molecular pathways and pathophysiological alteration are involved in the disruption of microvascular homeostasis, all pointing to microvascular inflammation as the putative primary culprit. This position paper explores the presence and the detrimental contribution of microvascular inflammation across the whole spectrum of chronic age-related diseases, which characterise the 21st-century healthcare landscape. The manuscript aims to strongly affirm the centrality of microvascular inflammation by recapitulating the current evidence and providing a clear synoptic view of the whole cardiometabolic derangement. Indeed, there is an urgent need for further mechanistic exploration to identify clear, very early or disease-specific molecular targets to provide an effective therapeutic strategy against the otherwise unstoppable rising prevalence of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa
| | - Carolina de Ciuceis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
| | - Raffaella Dell'oro
- Clinica Medica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Georgios Georgiopoulos
- Angiology and Endothelial Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ryszard Nosalski
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences; Queen's Medical Research Institute; University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - George Pavlidis
- Preventive Cardiology Laboratory and Clinic of Cardiometabolic Diseases, 2 Cardiology Department, Attikon Hospital, Athens
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Simon Tual-Chalot
- Biosciences Institute, Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Livia L Camargo
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Edyta Dąbrowska
- Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Center of Translational Medicine
- Center of Translational Medicine
| | - Fosca Quarti-Trevano
- Clinica Medica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Marcin Hellmann
- Department of Cardiac Diagnostics, Medical University, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Georgios Mavraganis
- Angiology and Endothelial Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Augusto C Montezano
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Francesco J Rios
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Jacek Wolf
- Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Center of Translational Medicine
| | - Sarah Costantino
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Heart Center, Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Guido Grassi
- Clinica Medica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences; Queen's Medical Research Institute; University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ignatios Ikonomidis
- Preventive Cardiology Laboratory and Clinic of Cardiometabolic Diseases, 2 Cardiology Department, Attikon Hospital, Athens
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Heart Center, Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich
- Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Damiano Rizzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
- Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Montichiari, Brescia, Italy
| | - Kimon Stamatelopoulos
- Angiology and Endothelial Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Konstantinos Stellos
- Biosciences Institute, Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung, DZHK), Heidelberg/Mannheim Partner Site
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Manheim, Germany
| | - Stefano Taddei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Linkous C, Pagan AD, Shope C, Andrews L, Snyder A, Ye T, Valdebran M. Applications of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging Technology in Dermatology. JID INNOVATIONS 2023; 3:100187. [PMID: 37564105 PMCID: PMC10410171 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Laser speckle contrast imaging or laser speckle imaging (LSI) is a noninvasive imaging technology that can detect areas of dynamic perfusion or vascular flow. Thus, LSI has shown increasing diagnostic utility in various pathologies and has been employed for intraoperative, postoperative, and long-term monitoring in many medical specialties. Recently, LSI has gained traction in clinical dermatology because it can be effective in the assessment of pathologies that are associated with increased perfusion and hypervascularity compared with that of normal tissue. To date, LSI has been found to be highly accurate in monitoring skin graft reperfusion, determining the severity of burns, evaluating neurosurgical revascularization, assessing persistent perfusion in capillary malformations after laser therapy, and differentiating malignant and benign skin lesions. LSI affords the advantage of noninvasively assessing lesions before more invasive methods of diagnosis, such as tissue biopsy, while remaining inexpensive and exhibiting no adverse events to date. However, potential obstacles to its clinical use include tissue movement artifact, primarily qualitative data, and unclear impact on clinical practice given the lack of superiority data compared with the current standard-of-care diagnostic methods. In this review, we discuss the clinical applications of LSI in dermatology for use in the diagnosis and monitoring of vascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Linkous
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angel D. Pagan
- School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Chelsea Shope
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Laura Andrews
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Snyder
- Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tong Ye
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Manuel Valdebran
- Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Dolgyras P, Lazaridis A, Anyfanti P, Gavriilaki E, Koletsos N, Triantafyllou A, Nikolaidou B, Galanapoulou V, Douma S, Gkaliagkousi E. Microcirculation dynamics in systemic vasculitis: evidence of impaired microvascular response regardless of cardiovascular risk factors. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:2510-2516. [PMID: 36394222 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic vasculitides (SVs) are a highly inflammatory group of diseases characterized by significant cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Microvascular damage closely linked with accelerated atherosclerosis and thrombosis represents a core pathophysiological mechanism contributing to the excess CV risk of patients with SVs. Skin represents an easily accessible tissue facilitating non-invasive microvascular study. In this study we aimed to investigate microcirculation dynamics and associate them with disease-related factors in patients with SVs. METHODS We assessed skin microcirculation using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and vascular reactivity by the post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) protocol in a meticulously selected group of patients with SVs without CV disease and compared them to controls, matched for age, sex, BMI and smoking status. RESULTS Sixty individuals were included in the study, 30 patients and 30 controls. Patients with SVs presented a lower peak magnitude during reperfusion phase (median [interquartile range] 207 [60.1] vs 143.7 [41.0] laser speckle perfusion units, P < 0.001) and lower percentage cutaneous vascular conductance increase (mean (s.d.) 190.0 [49.6]% vs 149.6 [48.9]%, P = 0.002) as compared with controls. Importantly, microvascular damage was correlated with disease duration (P < 0.001, r = -0.563 and P < 0.001, r = 0.442, respectively). CONCLUSION For the first time we have shown that patients with SVs exhibit impaired microvascular function and blunted reactivity after occlusion, as this was demonstrated by the LSCI technique. Therefore, skin microcirculation may be a useful, non-invasive method in patients with SVs for the early detection of microvascular dysfunction, which is closely related to the high CV risk that these patients bear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Dolgyras
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Gavriilaki
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koletsos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Barbara Nikolaidou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Stella Douma
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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8
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Koletsos N, Dipla K, Triantafyllou A, Dolgyras P, Aslanidis S, Zafeiridis A, Galanopoulou V, Douma S, Gkaliagkousi E. Depression in systemic lupus erythematosus: A manifestation of microcirculation dysfunction? Lupus 2023; 32:727-736. [PMID: 36989458 DOI: 10.1177/09612033231167792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Depression is highly prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Brain hypoperfusion in neuropsychiatric SLE patients might be associated with emotional difficulties. However, no previous study examined possible associations of depression with brain oxygenation during a mild physical stress in non-neuropsychiatric SLE patients. Our study aimed to identify possible differences in cerebral oxygenation during exercise in SLE patients with and without depressive symptoms using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and examine possible underlying mechanisms through evaluation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) levels. METHODS SLE patients without a known neuropsychiatric history or treatment with antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs were enrolled. Participants were assigned into groups based on Beck's Depression Inventory I (BDI-I). Patients with BDI-I score ≥10 comprised the SLE-depression group and those with BDI-I score <9 the SLE-non-depression group. All participants underwent a protocol involving a seated rest, a 3-min handgrip exercise (at 30% of maximal strength), and a 3-min recovery. NIRS was used to monitor changes in cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxygenated (HHb), and total hemoglobin (tHb). VCAM-1 levels were measured in serum samples. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were enrolled. During exercise, the SLE-depression group exhibited a significantly lower increase in cerebral O2Hb [(peak-O2Hb (p = 0.039); O2Hb-area under the curve, AUC, p = 0.027) vs. SLE-non-depression group. BDI-I score was inversely correlated with AUC (rho = -0.493, p = 0.017) and positively correlated with VCAM-1 levels (rho = 0.501, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION This study suggests a possible association between emotional abnormalities and microvascular impairment (cerebral oxygenation and endothelial dysfunction) in SLE However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Koletsos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dipla
- Exercise Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Sport Sciences at Serres, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Dolgyras
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spyros Aslanidis
- Rheumatology Department - 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Zafeiridis
- Exercise Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Sport Sciences at Serres, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
| | | | - Stella Douma
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 37782Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Gkaliagkousi E, Lazaridis A, Anyfanti P, Stavropoulos K, Imprialos K, Triantafyllou A, Mastrogiannis K, Douma S, Doumas M. Assessment of skin microcirculation in primary aldosteronism: impaired microvascular responses compared to essential hypertensives and normotensives. J Hum Hypertens 2022; 36:1066-1071. [PMID: 34802038 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-021-00639-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with considerably higher cardiovascular risk and increased prevalence of organ damage compared to essential hypertension (EH). Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) has emerged as a novel non-invasive tool to assess of skin microcirculation. Our aim was to evaluate skin microvascular function (SMF) using LSCI coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) in a group of PA patients (PAs) compared to patients with EH (EHs) and normotensive controls (NTs). We enrolled PAs, age- and gender-matched with EHs and NTs. All participants underwent SMF assessment by LSCI with PORH. We enrolled 109 participants including 29 PAs, 47 EHs, and 33 NTs. SMF was significantly impaired in PAs, including peak time (p < 0.001) and base to peak flux (p < 0.001) compared to NTs and EHs. Among PAs, plasma aldosterone showed a positive correlation with occlusion flux (p = 0.005). Our study shows for the first time that PAs present impaired SMF as assessed with LSCI coupled with PORH, not only compared to NTs but also compared to EHs with similar blood pressure profile. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical impact of such alterations in terms of pathophysiology and cardiovascular risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Stavropoulos
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Imprialos
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Mastrogiannis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stella Douma
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michalis Doumas
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateio Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Blunted Microvascular Reactivity in Psoriasis Patients in the Absence of Cardiovascular Disease, as Assessed by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111796. [PMID: 36362951 PMCID: PMC9693319 DOI: 10.3390/life12111796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is associated with accelerated rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is a novel, non-interventional technique for the dynamic assessment of microvascular endothelial dysfunction, which represents an early precursor of CVD. We investigated whether skin microvascular reactivity is impaired in psoriasis and whether an association exists with large artery stiffening. Skin microvascular reactivity was assessed with LSCI combined with post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia protocol in psoriasis patients and controls in the absence of established CVD. Arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics were assessed throughout a whole 24 h period with the Mobil-O-Graph device. Most LSCI indices of microvascular reactivity were impaired in psoriasis patients (n = 90) compared to controls (n = 45) [baseline flux; occlusion flux; peak-to-baseline magnitude; baseline cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC); percentage increase in CVC, p < 0.001 for all comparisons]. In multivariate analysis, psoriatic disease predicted the above markers independently of classical CVD risk factors. Augmentation index, peripheral pulse pressure, and central systolic/diastolic blood pressure correlated with LSCI microvascular responses in the study population (n = 135). Pulse wave velocity significantly correlated with nearly all LSCI parameters, while the association with baseline flux was independent of CVD risk factors and psoriatic disease in multivariate analysis (beta = 0.096, p = 0.039). This study provides evidence of altered skin microvascular responses in psoriasis by use of LSCI, and interaction with macrovascular dysfunction, before the establishment of overt CVD. A non-interventional approach of skin microcirculation with LSCI might be used as an early indicator of vascular health in psoriasis.
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11
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Liu Y, Yu X, Zhang W, Zhang X, Wang M, Ji F. Mechanistic insight into premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Autoimmun 2022; 132:102863. [PMID: 35853760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which substantially increases disease mortality and morbidity. The overall mechanisms associated with the development of premature atherosclerosis and CVD in SLE remain unclear, but has been considered as a result of an intricate interplay between the profound immune dysregulation and traditional CVD risk factors. Aberrant systemic inflammation in SLE may lead to an abnormal lipid profile and dysfunction, which can further fuel the pro-atherosclerotic environment. The existence of a strong imbalance between endothelial damage and vascular repair/angiogenesis promotes vascular injury, which is the early step in the progression of atherosclerotic CVD. Profound innate and adaptive immune dysregulation, characterized by excessive type I interferon burden, aberrant macrophage, platelet and complements activation, neutrophil dysregulation and neutrophil extracellular traps formation, uncontrolled T cell activation, and excessive autoantibody production and immune complex formation, have been proposed to promote accelerated CVD in SLE. While designing targeted therapies to correct the dysregulated immune activation may be beneficial in the treatment of SLE-related CVD, much additional work is needed to determine how to translate these findings into clinical practice. Additionally, a number of biomarkers display diagnostic potentials in improving CVD risk stratification in SLE, further prospective studies will help understand which biomarker(s) will be the most impactful one(s) in assessing SLE-linked CVD. Continued efforts to identify novel mechanisms and to establish criteria for assessing CVD risk as well as predicting CVD progression are in great need to improve CVD outcomes in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Xue Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Wenduo Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Fusui Ji
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, PR China.
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12
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Manchanda AS, Kwan AC, Ishimori M, Thomson LEJ, Li D, Berman DS, Bairey Merz CN, Jefferies C, Wei J. Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Chest Pain. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:867155. [PMID: 35498009 PMCID: PMC9053571 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.867155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chest pain is a common symptom in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While chest pain mechanisms can be multifactorial and often attributed to non-coronary or non-cardiac cardiac etiologies, emerging evidence suggests that ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a prevalent condition in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is reported in approximately half of SLE patients with suspected INOCA. In this mini review, we highlight the cardiovascular risk assessment, mechanisms of INOCA, and diagnostic approach for patients with SLE and suspected CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S. Manchanda
- Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alan C. Kwan
- Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Imaging, Mark Taper Imaging Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mariko Ishimori
- Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Louise E. J. Thomson
- Department of Imaging, Mark Taper Imaging Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Debiao Li
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Daniel S. Berman
- Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Imaging, Mark Taper Imaging Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - C. Noel Bairey Merz
- Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Caroline Jefferies
- Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Janet Wei
- Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Janet Wei
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Moschetti L, Piantoni S, Vizzardi E, Sciatti E, Riccardi M, Franceschini F, Cavazzana I. Endothelial Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Systemic Sclerosis: A Common Trigger for Different Microvascular Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:849086. [PMID: 35462989 PMCID: PMC9023861 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.849086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review describes the complex interplay between inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis that involve the heart and peripheral small vessels, leading to endothelial stiffness, vascular damage, and early aging in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, which represents two different models of vascular dysfunction among systemic autoimmune diseases. In fact, despite the fact that diagnostic methods and therapies have been significantly improved in the last years, affected patients show an excess of cardiovascular mortality if compared with the general population. In addition, we provide a complete overview on the new techniques which are used for the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in a preclinical phase, which could represent a new approach in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liala Moschetti
- Rheumatology and Clinical immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Piantoni
- Rheumatology and Clinical immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Silvia Piantoni,
| | - Enrico Vizzardi
- Cardiology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Riccardi
- Cardiology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Franceschini
- Rheumatology and Clinical immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cavazzana
- Rheumatology and Clinical immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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A non-interventional study of microcirculation dynamics in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors compared to controls: evidence of impaired microvascular response regardless of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:72-77. [PMID: 34645924 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-021-01500-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) survivors have been recently recognized as patients at increased cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that vascular function remains impaired in alloHCT survivors free of graft-versus-host-disease or relapse. We enrolled consecutive adult alloHCT survivors and non-HCT control individuals (January 2019-March 2020), matched for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Microvascular dysfunction was dynamically assessed in real time by Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA). Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) were assessed as surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. We studied 75 patients after a median of 3.2 (range 2.1-4.9) years from alloHCT, who had suffered from grade 2 to 3 acute (20%) and/or moderate/severe chronic GVHD (42%), and 75 controls. Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors and surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease did not differ between groups, alloHCT survivors showed significantly impaired microvascular function (baseline and peak flux, time to peak, base to peak and base to occlusion change). LASCA indices were also independently associated with alloHCT. Our study shows for the first-time impaired microcirculation dynamics in alloHCT survivors, independently of cardiovascular risk factors. Additional studies are needed to address the role of novel markers in cardiovascular risk prediction, along with effects of disease type, phase, and pre-transplant treatments.
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Patients with autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases present increased biomarkers of thromboinflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the absence of flares and cardiovascular comorbidities. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2021; 53:10-16. [PMID: 34224067 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-021-02517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular risk is increased in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Endothelial, erythrocyte and platelet microvesicles (MVs) are elevated in patients with cardiovascular diseases and represent novel markers of endothelial dysfunction and thromboinflammation. We tested whether their levels are increased in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) in the absence of disease flare and cardiovascular comorbidities. Well-controlled patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus were studied, provided they were free from cardiovascular comorbidities and established cardiovascular disease. We additionally studied (a) a control group consisting of healthy volunteers and (b) a reference group including patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). MVs were measured using a standardized flow cytometry protocol. In a population of 74 participants, patients with ARDs (n = 17) presented increased levels of both endothelial (283.3 ± 195.0/μL vs 168.5 ± 54.8/μL, p = 0.029) and platelet MVs (374.0 ± 275.3/μL vs 225.7 ± 101.1/μL, p = 0.046) compared to controls (n = 34), whereas erythrocyte MVs did not significantly differ. In addition, patients with ARDs showed similar levels of endothelial MVs compared to CAD patients (n = 23) (283.3 ± 195.0/μL vs 297.0 ± 211.8/μL, p = 0.846). Platelet MVs were significantly associated with disease duration, and erythrocyte MVs with patients' perceived disease activity. In conclusion, increased levels of endothelial and platelet MVs may be evident in patients with ARDs, even in the absence of disease flares and before the establishment of cardiovascular complications. Levels of endothelial MVs resemble those of patients with profound atherothrombotic profile. The prognostic potential of MVs in terms of cardiovascular disease prevention warrants further investigation in patients with ARDs.
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