Aortic Intima-Media Thickness as an Early Marker of Atherosclerosis in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Arterial structure and function in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and Aim

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including in younger adulthood. This may arise in part from chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation. The process of atherosclerosis may begin in childhood. We sought to determine whether pediatric IBD is associated with adverse changes in arterial structure and function as a marker of early increased cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We performed a case-control study comparing children with IBD for a median disease duration of 2.49 (interquartile range 1.23, 4.38) years with healthy children. In a single visit, we collected baseline clinical and anthropometric data, and measured blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility, and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fasting lipids were measured.

Results

We enrolled 81 children with IBD (40 with Crohn's disease, 40 with ulcerative colitis, and 1 with unspecified IBD) and 82 control participants. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index z-score, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there was no difference in measures of arterial structure and function in children with IBD compared with controls, nor between those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Conclusion

We did not show any differences in arterial structure and function in children with a history of IBD for less than 5 years compared with healthy controls. IBD diagnosed in childhood may provide a window of opportunity to actively reduce standard cardiovascular risk factors and improve future cardiovascular outcomes.

A Mendelian randomization study on causal effects of inflammatory bowel disease on the risk of erectile dysfunction

This study aimed to evaluate the causal effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) using Mendelian randomization (MR). All datasets were obtained from the public genome-wide association study database. In the exposure group, 12,882 IBD patients and 21,770 controls were included. A total of 1154 ED patients and 94,024 controls were included in the outcome group. Two-sample MR was conducted to estimate the causal effect of IBD on ED. Furthermore, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were exposure factors in subgroup analyses. Weighted median, MR-egger, Inverse-variant weighted (IVW), weighted mode, and simple mode methods were used in MR analysis. Horizontal pleiotropy test, heterogeneity test, and leave-one-out method were utilized to evaluate the sensitivity and stability of results. After analysis, 62, 52, and 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that IBD-ED, CD-ED, and UC-ED were included, respectively. The incidence of ED was increased by IBD (IVW: OR = 1.110, 95% CI = 1.017-1.211, P = 0.019; P-heterogeneity > 0.05) and, in addition, ED was affected by CD (IVW: OR = 1.085, 95% CI = 1.015-1.160, P = 0.016; P-heterogeneity > 0.05). However, there was no causal effect of UC on ED (IVW: OR = 1.018, 95% CI = 0.917-1.129, P = 0.743; P-heterogeneity < 0.05). All SNPs showed no significant horizontal pleiotropy (P > 0.05). These results indicate that IBD and CD can cause ED; However, UC did not cause ED. Additional research was required to determine causality and potential mechanisms further.

Contribution of Blood Vessel Activation, Remodeling and Barrier Function to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) consist of a group of chronic inflammatory disorders with a complex etiology, which represent a clinical challenge due to their often therapy-refractory nature. In IBD, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa is characterized by strong and sustained leukocyte infiltration, resulting in the loss of epithelial barrier function and subsequent tissue destruction. This is accompanied by the activation and the massive remodeling of mucosal micro-vessels. The role of the gut vasculature in the induction and perpetuation of mucosal inflammation is receiving increasing recognition. While the vascular barrier is considered to offer protection against bacterial translocation and sepsis after the breakdown of the epithelial barrier, endothelium activation and angiogenesis are thought to promote inflammation. The present review examines the respective pathological contributions of the different phenotypical changes observed in the microvascular endothelium during IBD, and provides an overview of potential vessel-specific targeted therapy options for the treatment of IBD.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective

The aim of this case-controlled study is to evaluate chronic inflammation, subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Methods

A total of 51 medication-free children and adolescents with ADHD and 51 healthy controls were included in this study. K-SADS-PL was used to determine the diagnosis of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders. Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short Form and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised Short Form severity of ADHD was used to evaluate severity of ADHD. In order to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis, common carotid intima media thickness (IMT), epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT), and periaortic adipose tissue thickness (PAT) were assessed as well as clinical parameters.

Results

The IMT (0.037 ± 0.005 cm vs. 0.026 ± 0.003 cm), EAT (0.472 ± 0.076 cm vs. 0.355 ± 0.051 cm), and PAT (0.135 ± 0.016 cm vs. 0.118 ± 0.009 cm) measurements were significantly higher in the ADHD group than in the control group. Additionally, partial correlation analyses revealed that a positive correlation was observed between IMT and EAT, and PAT measurements separately. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that, body mass index (BMI) positively predicted IMT. Also, age and BMI positively predicted the EAT levels of the subjects with ADHD.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that children and adolescents with ADHD have a risk for cardiovascular disease. For this reason, subclinical atherosclerosis should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and treatment of ADHD for cardiovascular disease risk.

Children with inflammatory bowel disease already have an altered arterial pulse wave

Adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk for vascular events. This study aims to evaluate arterial parameters in paediatric IBD. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured by ultrasound, and Arteriograph was used to assess aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), brachial and aortic augmentation indexes (AixBrach, AixAo), central systolic blood pressure (SBPao), and heart rate (HR). A total of 161 children were included; 55 (34%) children with newly diagnosed IBD (median age 14.35 (11.88-16.31) years, 53% males), 53(33%) in remission (median age 15.62 (13.46-16.70) years, 66% males), and 53 (33%) controls (median age 14.09 (11.18-14.09) years, 55% males) were recruited into a case-control study. Compared to controls, patients with active disease and those in clinical remission had significantly lower AixBrach and AixAo (P < 0.001, P = 0.009; P < 0.001, P = 0.003). PWVao and CIMT were still normal. HR was higher in both IBD groups than in controls (P < 0.001; P = 0.006). HR positively correlated with disease duration (P = 0.001). In the ordinary least squares regression models, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α treatment predicted lower peripheral and central systolic blood pressures, in contrast to aminosalicylates and methotrexate. Aminosalicylate treatment predicted increased HR.  Conclusion: Children with IBD have an increased heart rate, a lower augmentation index and, therefore, an altered pulse waveform. In paediatric IBD, arterial stiffness and CIMT are still normal, indicating the potential for adequate IBD treatment to preserve arterial health. What is Known: • Adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness, which positively correlates with cardiovascular risk and predicts mortality. Adequate treatment, especially anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α medications, lower these risks. • Children with IBD have impaired endothelial function and reduced heart rate (HR) variability. What is New: • Children with IBD have impaired endothelial function and reduced heart rate (HR) variability. • Anti-TNFα treatment in children and adolescents with IBD lowers systolic pressure, whereas methotrexate and aminosalicylates have the opposite effect. Amiynosalyiciylate treatment also increases HR.

Current applications for measuring pediatric intima-media thickness

Intima-media thickness is a known subclinical radiologic marker of the early manifestations of atherosclerotic disease. It is the thickness of the vessel wall, most often the carotid artery. Intima-media thickness is measured on conventional US manually or automatically. Other measurement techniques include radiofrequency US. Because there is variation in its measurement, especially in children, several recommendations have been set to increase the measurement's validity and comparability among studies. Despite these recommendations, several pitfalls should be avoided, and quality control should be performed to avoid erroneous interpretation. This article summarizes current literature in relation to the clinical applications for intima-media thickness measurement in children with known risk factors such as obesity, liver steatosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, hypertension, systemic inflammatory diseases, cancer survival, kidney and liver transplant, and sickle cell disease or beta thalassemia major. Most potential indications for intima-media thickness measurement remain in the research domain and should be interpreted combined with other markers. The objective of diagnosing an increased intima-media thickness is to start a multidisciplinary treatment approach to prevent disease progression and its sequelae in adulthood.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Population-based studies have suggested that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might be at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. A meta-analysis was performed on clinical studies to evaluate endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with IBD, after searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases. A random-effects model was used to allow for the pooling of studies and for determination of the overall effect. After exclusion, a total of 41 eligible studies with 2330 patients with IBD and 2032 matched controls were identified and included for the analysis. It was found that cIMT was significantly increased in patients with IBD as compared with that in matched controls (Cohen's d: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.93; I2 = 91.84%). The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was significantly higher in patients with IBD compared to that in matched controls (Cohen's d: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.98; I2 = 70.03%). The augmentation index was also significantly increased in patients with IBD compared to matched control subjects (Cohen's d: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.63; I2 = 61.37%). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation was significantly decreased in patients with IBD than that in matched controls (Cohen's d: -0.73; 95% CI: -1.10, -0.36; I2 = 81.02%). Based on the meta-analysis, it was found that patients with IBD exhibit significant endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness, and cIMT. Thus, patients with IBD may benefit from aggressive risk stratification for cardiovascular diseases.

Аtherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can cause early atherosclerosis. There is a correlation between inflammatory activity in IBD and cardiovascular events. Chronic inflammation can lead to endothelial dysfunction. This review discusses the possibilities of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between IBD and atherosclerosis, the role of innate and humoral immunity, intestinal microbiota, biomarkers (C-reactive protein, homocysteine, etc.), as well as the possibility of early instrumental diagnosis of subclinical manifestations of atherosclerosis in patients with IBD by measuring carotid intimamedia thickness and aortic pulse wave velocity. The need for active prevention of cardiovascular diseases in this group of patients is emphasized, including through the control of inflammation activity, as well as the inclusion of IBD in one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Are patients recovering from Kawasaki disease at increased risk for accelerated atherosclerosis? A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested that Kawasaki disease (KD) may cause endothelial dysfunction, which can potentially induce atherosclerosis. However, there is still no consensus on the relationship between KD and atherosclerosis. This article aimed to determine whether patients with a history of KD may be at increased risk for accelerated atherosclerosis via a meta-analysis.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and SpringerLink databases were systematically searched. Studies on risk factors for atherosclerosis were included. A meta-analysis of case-control studies was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included with a total of 1684 subjects (990 patients after KD and 694 controls). The meta-analysis showed that the level of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) (95% CI: 0.01, 0.03; P = 0.005) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (95% CI: 0.00, 0.10; P = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients after KD than controls, whereas flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) (95% CI: - 5.14, - 1.26; P = 0.001) in patients after KD was significantly lower. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol (TC) (95% CI: - 0.13, 5.92; P = 0.06), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (95% CI: - 0.65, 2.08; P = 0.31), or triglycerides (TG) (95% CI: - 1.94, 8.03; P = 0.23).

CONCLUSION

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory processes may exist in patients with a history of KD, which are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis.

An Update on Cardiovascular Risk Factors After Kawasaki Disease

First described in Japan 50 years ago, Kawasaki disease is a worldwide multisystem disease. It is an acute self-limited vasculitis of unknown etiology that can lead to coronary artery lesions, such as dilatation, aneurysms, and stenosis in children. It is one of the common causes of acquired heart disease among children in developed countries. The coronary aneurysm is a severe complication in the acute stage, possibly leading to stenotic lesions or myocardial ischemia. More concerns have centered on endothelial damage and the early onset of atherosclerosis in patients with KD. Although the coronary artery aneurysm is small or degenerated, the vascular structure does not return to normal, vascular endothelial dysfunction and remodeling continue. Most patients diagnosed with coronary artery sequelae are at risk of long-term complications. There are still many unknown aspects regarding the long-term prognosis of patients. Concerns have centered on the early onset of atherosclerosis in patients with KD. There is still no consensus on the relationship between Kawasaki disease and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate if patients with a history of KD were at risk of accelerated atherosclerosis.

The risk of cardiovascular complications in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing disease of unknown etiology involving gastrointestinal tract. IBD comprises two main entities: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Several studies showed increased risk of cardiovascular complications in chronic inflammatory disorders, especially during IBD relapses. Endothelium plays a role in physiologic regulation of vascular tone, cell adhesion, migration and resistance to thrombosis. Also, its dysfunction is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis development. There are several potential links between chronic IBD-related inflammatory processes and the risk of cardiovascular disease, but insight into pathogenetic pathways remains unclear. We present the current concepts and review of adult and pediatric studies on the risk of CVD in IBD.

Experimental and Clinical Evidence of Endothelial Dysfunction in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The endothelium has a crucial role in proper hemodynamics. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is mainly a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. However, considerable evidence points to high cardiovascular risk in patients with IBD. This review positions the basic mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in the IBD setting (both clinical and experimental). Furthermore, we review the main effects of drugs used to treat IBD in endothelial (dys)function. Moreover, we leave challenging points for enlarging the therapeutic arsenal for IBD with new or repurposed drugs that target endothelial dysfunction besides inflammation.

Exercise-associated prevention of adult cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents: monocytes, molecular mechanisms, and a call for discovery

Atherosclerosis originates in childhood and adolescence. The goal of this review is to highlight how exercise and physical activity during childhood and adolescence, critical periods of growth and development, can prevent adult cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly through molecular mechanisms of monocytes, a key cell of the innate immune system. Monocytes are heterogeneous and pluripotential cells that can, paradoxically, play a role in both the instigation and prevention of atherosclerosis. Recent discoveries in young adults reveal that brief exercise affects monocyte gene pathways promoting a cell phenotype that patrols the vascular system and repairs injuries. Concurrently, exercise inhibits pro-inflammatory monocytes, cells that contribute to vascular damage and plaque formation. Because CVD is typically asymptomatic in youth, minimally invasive techniques must be honed to study the subtle anatomic and physiologic evidence of vascular dysfunction. Exercise gas exchange and heart rate measures can be combined with ultrasound assessments of vascular anatomy and reactivity, and near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify impaired O2 transport that is often hidden at rest. Combined with functional, transcriptomic, and epigenetic monocyte expression and measures of monocyte-endothelium interaction, molecular mechanisms of early CVD can be formulated, and then translated into effective physical activity-based strategies in youth to prevent adult-onset CVD.

Thoracic Aortic Intima-Media Thickness in Preschool Children Born Small for Gestational Age

OBJECTIVE

To assess thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) as a marker of thoracic aortic remodeling in children born small for gestational age (SGA).

STUDY DESIGN

We assessed thoracic aIMT, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 239 patients (117 SGA; 122 appropriate for gestational age controls) age 6-8 years. Each SGA participant was matched 1:1 based on sex, gestational age, and birth date. Thoracic aIMT was determined by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.

RESULTS

SGA children showed a significant increase in both aIMT (0.89 mm [0.12] vs 0.79 mm [0.11], P < .001) and cIMT (.50 mm [0.05] vs 0.49 mm [0.04], P < .001) compared with appropriate for gestational age controls, but the magnitude of the difference in aIMT was greater than that in cIMT (standardized difference of the means: +84% vs +27%). aIMT was linearly correlated with aortic arch PWV as measured by echocardiography (r = 0.211, P < .001) but not with carotid-femoral PWV (r = 0.113, P = .111). Born SGA was independently associated with increased aIMT after controlling for perinatal, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants in linear regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

SGA children exhibit increased thoracic aIMT and aortic arch PWV in early childhood that may suggest the presence of structural changes in the thoracic aorta wall architecture. Measurement of ascending aIMT by transthoracic echocardiography is feasible and reproducible and may be a useful marker of vascular disease.

Influence of environmental tobacco smoke on morphology and functions of cardiovascular system assessed using diagnostic imaging

Exposure to tobacco smoke is a significant problem of environmental medicine. Tobacco smoke contains over one thousand identified chemicals including numerous toxicants. Cardiovascular system diseases are the major cause of general mortality. The recent development of diagnostic imaging provided methods which enable faster and more precise diagnosis of numerous diseases, also those of cardiovascular system. This paper reviews the most significant scientific research concerning relationship between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and the morphology and function of cardiovascular system carried out using diagnostic imaging methods, i.e. ultrasonography, angiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In the forthcoming future, the studies using current diagnostic imaging methods should contribute to the reliable documentation, followed by the wide-spreading knowledge of the harmful impact of the environmental tobacco smoke exposure on the cardiovascular system.

Arterial Structure and Function Following Viral Myocarditis

Acute viral myocarditis is an uncommon inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Little is known about the long-term cardiovascular risk for individuals who have recovered from the acute illness. We compared intermediate vascular phenotypes relating to arterial structure (aortic and carotid intima-media thickness) and function (pulse wave velocity, carotid arterial distensibility and compliance) in 15 participants, a median of 9.1 years after an episode of acute viral myocarditis, and 45 control participants. Following adjustment for age, sex and triglycerides, there were no differences in mean and maximum carotid and aortic intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility and compliance between viral myocarditis participants and controls. In conclusion, we found no evidence of changes in intermediate vascular phenotypes indicative of increased cardiovascular risk in individuals who had fully recovered from viral myocarditis.

Macro- and Microvascular Parameters After Toxic Shock Syndrome

Whether individuals who had toxic shock syndrome in childhood have differences in macro- and retinal microvascular parameters indicative of increased cardiovascular risk is unknown. We found no evidence of adverse macrovascular changes in 22 toxic shock syndrome participants compared with 60 control participants. Microvascular comparisons showed a reduction in retinal total fractal dimension, which has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors in children.

Increased aortic intima-media thickness may be used to detect macrovascular complications in adult type II diabetes mellitus patients

Background

Carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT) and aortic IMT (A-IMT) increase in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), respectively. In both age groups IMT is used for early detection of macrovascular complications. In adult DM patients, A-IMT is still not a routine examination and is not used frequently. We aimed to determine whether there is an increase in A-IMT values measured from abdominal aorta besides traditional C-IMT in patients with type II DM and to determine parameters closely related to A-IMT in the same patient group.

Methods

We included 114 type II DM patients and 100 healthy control subjects similar in age and sex in our study. Bilateral C-IMT and A-IMT values were measured by B-mode ultrasonography (USG) in addition to anamnesis, physical examination and routine examinations of all patients.

Results

When the clinical, demographic and laboratory data of patients with and without DM were compared, there was a high level of glucose and HbA1c and low hemoglobin levels in the DM patient group. All other parameters were found to be similar between the two groups. When the B-mode USG findings were examined, it was found that C-IMT and A-IMT were increased in patients with DM, with the A-IMT increase being more prominent. A-IMT values were found to be strongly and positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, DM onset time and HbA1c levels, and a negatively and significantly correlated with hemoglobin levels (p < 0.05, for each). In the regression model, the parameters correlating most closely with A-IMT were DM diagnosis onset time, HbA1c and hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001 and β = 0.353, p = 0.014 and β = 0.247 and p < 0.001 and β = − 0.406).

Conclusions

As in pediatric DM patients also in adult DM patients A-IMT can easily be measured with new model USG devices. A-IMT must be measured during abdominal USG which is routine in adult DM patients. A-IMT is an easy, reproducible and non-invasive parameter that may be used in the diagnosis of macrovascular complications of adult type II DM.

Perinatal microbial exposure may influence aortic intima-media thickness in early infancy

Background

The maternal and infant microbiome may influence infant cardiovascular risk through immune programming. The maternal vagino-enteric microbiome is often sampled for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy. Our aim was to investigate the association between maternal GBS colonization, intrapartum antibiotics, antenatal pet exposure and infant aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT), an intermediate vascular phenotype, and whether this association varied by mode of delivery.

Methods

The Barwon Infant Study is a population-derived pre-birth cohort. Perinatal data were collected on participants. Women were tested for vagino-enteric group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during third trimester. Six-week infant aIMT was measured by trans-abdominal ultrasound. Adjustment for confounders included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking, socioeconomic status, gestational diabetes, length of gestation, infant sex, birthweight and aortic internal diameter.

Results

Data were available on 835 mother-infant pairs. Of these, 574 (69%) women delivered vaginally; of those, 129 (22%) were GBS-colonized; and of these women, 111 (86%) received prophylactic intrapartum antibiotics. An association between maternal GBS colonization and infant aIMT was observed among those delivered vaginally (β = 19.5 µm, 95% CI 9.5, 29.4; P  < 0.0001) but not by Caesarean section ( P for interaction = 0.02). A similar pattern was seen for intrapartum antibiotics. There was a negative association between antenatal pet exposure and aIMT observed in those delivered vaginally.

Conclusion

Maternal GBS colonization and intrapartum antibiotics were associated with increased infant aIMT in those delivered vaginally, whereas antenatal pet exposure was associated with decreased aIMT. These data suggest that differences in early life microbial experience may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk.

There is a significant relationship between morning blood pressure surge and increased abdominal aortic intima-media thickness in hypertensive patients

PURPOSE

There are limited data about increased aortic intima-media thickness (A-IMT) in the presence of subclinical target organ damage in hypertensive (HT) patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of increased A-IMT, the parameters determining increased A-IMT, and the relationship between increased A-IMT and other vascular IMT measurements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively included 265 patients (mean age 54.1 ± 10.6 years, male/female 91/174) with essential HT. Physical examination of all patients was performed. Laboratory data and antihypertensive treatments were recorded. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed. Bilateral carotid, brachial, and femoral artery and abdominal A-IMT values were measured by B-mode ultrasonography (USG). Patients were categorized into two main groups: patients with increased A-IMT (≥ 3 mm) or normal A-IMT (< 3 mm).

RESULTS

Increased A-IMT was detected in 55 patients (20.8%). There was a close relationship between increased A-IMT and advanced age, presence of coronary artery disease, high morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), and bilateral carotid and femoral IMT. Parameters associated with increased A-IMT in univariate analysis were assessed by regression analysis. Left femoral IMT and MBPS were independently associated with increased A-IMT. In the regression model, each 5-mmHg elevation in MBPS increased the risk of increased A-IMT by 34.2%. The cutoff value of MBPS obtained by the ROC curve analysis was 32 mmHg for the prediction of increased A-IMT (sensitivity 76.3%, specificity 63.5%). The area under the curve was 0.784 (95% CI 0.720-0.847, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Abdominal A-IMT increased at a significant rate in patients with HT. An independent association was found between MBPS and A-IMT, which can both be easily detected by ABPM and B-mode USG. The high MBPS level was considered to be a simple and inexpensive method for detecting subclinical target organ damage. A-IMT measurement should also be a part of abdominal USG, which is a routine examination in HT patients.

The Role of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an independent cardiovascular risk factor and a catalyst of other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

We analyzed cardiovascular risk in obese patients before and after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). To this end, we studied changes in body mass index (BMI), blood chemistry parameters that characterize the risk of atherosclerosis and instrumental parameters (objective markers of this risk), namely intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD), the latter reflecting endothelial function. We also considered purely cardiac parameters-mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)-which describe cardiac risk more specifically than the ejection fraction. Alteration of one or more of these parameters determines an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

The results showed that weight loss, in patients undergoing SG, is accompanied by a reduced BMI and a marked improvement in blood chemistry, confirming what has already been shown in many other studies, but the most interesting finding was the effect of SG on the instrumental markers of atherosclerosis. In particular, carotid IMT was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) and FMD significantly improved. MAPSE and TAPSE also improved significantly at both follow-up assessments (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that SG should be considered from a broader perspective, i.e. as a weight loss treatment that also improves obesity-related morbidity and mortality, benefitting both the patient and, in an economic sense, the society as a whole.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Sesame Oil on Atherosclerosis: A Descriptive Literature Review

Sesame oil (SO) is a supplement that has been known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which makes it effective for reducing atherosclerosis and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Due to the side effects of statins, the current recommended treatment for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, the idea of using dietary and nutritional supplementation has been explored. The benefits of a dietary health regime have piqued curiosity because many different cultures have reaped health benefits through the ingredients in their cooking with negligible side effects. The purpose of this literary review is to provide a broad overview of the potential benefits and risks of SO on the development of atherosclerosis and its direction toward human clinical use. Current in vivo and in vitro research has shed light on the effects of SO and its research has shown that SO can decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels while maintaining high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Current limitations in recent studies include no standardized doses of SO given to subjects and unknown specific mechanisms of the different components of SO. Future studies should explore possible synergistic and adverse effects of SO when combined with current recommended pharmaceutical therapies and other adjunct treatments.

Pulse wave velocity measurement as a marker of arterial stiffness in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study

In adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the incidence of cardiovascular events is increased, leading to long-term morbidity. Arterial stiffness (AS) measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a validated early precursor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and measurement of PWV was shown to be a feasible test in children. The aim of this study was to assess AS in children with IBD. In this prospective study, we determined PWV between the carotid and femoral artery (PWV_cf) in 25 children and adolescents with IBD (11 females, median age 14.1 years, median disease duration 2.8 years). The majority (68%) of the subjects were in clinical remission, and 48% received anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) treatment. AS was not increased in this cohort of children and adolescents with IBD, who did not have signs of cardiovascular disease, such as arterial hypertension.

CONCLUSION

PWV seems to be normal in children with IBD in remission or with mild disease activity. Larger studies should assess its potential role as a valid and non-invasive follow-up marker in children with IBD, to avoid cardiovascular complications. What is Known : • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement is the current gold standard to assess arterial stiffness (AS), which is an early predictor of CVD. What is New: • This is the first study using PWV measurements to determine AS in children with IBD. • In children with IBD in remission or only mild disease activity AS is not increased.

Increased aortic intima-media thickness following Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The cardiovascular risk following Kawasaki disease (KD), especially in those without coronary artery changes or with regressed coronary artery lesions, is unclear. We assessed markers of early atherosclerosis in individuals following KD, including those with and without coronary artery abnormalities.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional case-control study of 60 patients (25 with always normal coronary arteries and 35 with abnormalities) and 60 controls, at least two years after KD. Non-invasive assessment of arterial structure (carotid and aortic intima-media thickness (IMT)) and function (pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility and diameter compliance) was done. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Kawasaki disease patients had increased aortic IMT compared to controls (0.53 mm (95% CI 0.51-0.56) versus 0.49 (95% CI 0.47-0.52), p = 0.04), largely driven by those with abnormal coronary arteries. There were no differences in carotid IMT. Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery abnormalities had reduced carotid distensibility compared to controls (15.16% (95% CI 13.67-16.65) versus 17.50 (95% CI 16.43-18.58), p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with KD have increased aortic IMT and reduced carotid distensibility, indicating heightened cardiovascular risk, especially in those with coronary artery abnormalities. In our study, we used validated surrogates for cardiovascular disease risk. Our findings, therefore, warrant follow-up investigations in KD patients.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We evaluated the differences in major markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and controls by a systematic review and a meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for literature comparing CV risk markers in IBDs and controls. The overall mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), flow-mediated dilation (FMD%), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) difference between patients with IBDs and control groups were calculated. Twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 16 studies with data on CIMT, 7 studies reporting FMD%, and 9 studies on cfPWV. Compared to controls, patients with IBDs showed significantly higher CIMT (standardized mean difference [ SMD]: 0.534 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.230 to 0.838; P = .001), significantly lower FMD% ( SMD, -0.721%; 95% CI, -1.020 to -0.421; P < .0001), and significantly increased cfPWV ( SMD, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.589 to 1.110; P < .0001). When analyzing subgroups with ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease (CD), all results were still significant except CIMT in CD. Our findings support the current evidence for an elevated CV burden in patients with IBD and support the clinical utility of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in the management of these patients.