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Asmar R, Stergiou G, de la Sierra A, Jelaković B, Millasseau S, Topouchian J, Shirai K, Blacher J, Avolio A, Jankowski P, Parati G, Bilo G, Rewiuk K, Mintale I, Rajzer M, Agabiti-Rosei E, Ince C, Postadzhiyan A, Zimlichman R, Struijker-Boudier H, Benetos A, Bäck M, Tasic N, Sirenko Y, Zelveian P, Wang H, Fantin F, Kotovskaya Y, Ezhov M, Kotsis V. Blood pressure measurement and assessment of arterial structure and function: an expert group position paper. J Hypertens 2024:00004872-990000000-00493. [PMID: 38899971 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Measuring blood pressure (BP) and investigating arterial hemodynamics are essential in understanding cardiovascular disease and assessing cardiovascular risk. Several methods are used to measure BP in the doctor's office, at home, or over 24 h under ambulatory conditions. Similarly, several noninvasive methods have been introduced for assessing arterial structure and function; these methods differ for the large arteries, the small ones, and the capillaries. Consequently, when studying arterial hemodynamics, the clinician is faced with a multitude of assessment methods whose technical details, advantages, and limitations are sometimes unclear. Moreover, the conditions and procedures for their optimal implementation, and/or the reference normality values for the parameters they yield are not always taken into sufficient consideration. Therefore, a practice guideline summarizing the main methods and their use in clinical practice is needed. This expert group position paper was developed by an international group of scientists after a two-day meeting during which each of the most used methods and techniques for blood pressure measurement and arterial function and structure evaluation were presented and discussed, focusing on their advantages, limitations, indications, normal values, and their pragmatic clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Asmar
- Foundation-Medical Research Institutes. Paris France
| | - George Stergiou
- Hypertension Center STRIDE-7, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alejandro de la Sierra
- Hypertension Unit. Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Mutua Terrassa. University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bojan Jelaković
- University hospital Centre Zagreb and University of Zagreb, School of Medicine. Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jirar Topouchian
- Centre de diagnostic et de thérapeutique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu. Paris, France
| | - Kohji Shirai
- Toho University Sakura medical center, Department of Internal Medicine. Toho Japan
| | - Jacques Blacher
- Centre de diagnostic et de thérapeutique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu; AP-HP; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Avolio
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Humans Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Piotr Jankowski
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Cardiology, Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gianfranco Parati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca Milan, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Departmentof Cardiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Bilo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca Milan, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Departmentof Cardiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Krzysztof Rewiuk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Iveta Mintale
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, Latvian Centre of Cardiology; Riga Latvia
| | - Marek Rajzer
- First Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electro-cardiology and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Enrico Agabiti-Rosei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia and IRCCS Multimedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Can Ince
- Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Reuven Zimlichman
- The Brunner Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Magnus Bäck
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Cardiology Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Hongyu Wang
- Department of Heart and Vascular Medicine, PKU Shougang Hospital, Beijing China
| | - Francesco Fantin
- Centre for Medical Sciences - CISMed, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Section of Geriatric Medicine, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Yulia Kotovskaya
- Russian Clinical and Research Center of Gerontology - Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marat Ezhov
- Myasnikov Clinical Cardiology Research Institute. Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology. Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasilios Kotsis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki Greece
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SenthilKumar G, Hammond ST, Zirgibel Z, Cohen KE, Beyer AM, Freed JK. Is the peripheral microcirculation a window into the human coronary microvasculature? J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 193:67-77. [PMID: 38848808 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence suggests a pivotal role for the microvasculature in the development of cardiovascular disease. A dysfunctional coronary microvascular network, specifically within endothelial cells-the inner most cell layer of vessels-is considered a strong, independent risk factor for future major adverse cardiac events. However, challenges exist with evaluating this critical vascular bed, as many of the currently available techniques are highly invasive and cost prohibitive. The more easily accessible peripheral microcirculation has surfaced as a potential surrogate in which to study mechanisms of coronary microvascular dysfunction and likewise may be used to predict poor cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we critically evaluate a variety of prognostic, physiological, and mechanistic studies in humans to answer whether the peripheral microcirculation can add insight into coronary microvascular health. A conceptual framework is proposed that the health of the endothelium specifically may link the coronary and peripheral microvascular beds. This is supported by evidence showing a correlation between human coronary and peripheral endothelial function in vivo. Although not a replacement for investigating and understanding coronary microvascular function, the microvascular endothelium from the periphery responds similarly to (patho)physiological stress and may be leveraged to explore potential therapeutic pathways to mitigate stress-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopika SenthilKumar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Stephen T Hammond
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Zachary Zirgibel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Katie E Cohen
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Andreas M Beyer
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Julie K Freed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
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3
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Yuan Y, Dong M, Wen S, Yuan X, Zhou L. Retinal microcirculation: A window into systemic circulation and metabolic disease. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109885. [PMID: 38574944 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The retinal microcirculation system constitutes a unique terminal vessel bed of the systemic circulation, and its perfusion status is directly associated with the neural function of the retina. This vascular network, essential for nourishing various layers of the retina, comprises two primary microcirculation systems: the retinal microcirculation and the choroidal microcirculation, with each system supplying blood to distinct retinal layers and maintaining the associated neural function. The blood flow of those capillaries is regulated via different mechanisms. However, a range of internal and external factors can disrupt the normal architecture and blood flow within the retinal microcirculation, leading to several retinal pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and vascular occlusions. Metabolic disturbances such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are known to modify retinal microcirculation through various pathways. These alterations are observable in chronic metabolic conditions like diabetes, coronary artery disease, and cerebral microvascular disease due to advances in non-invasive or minimally invasive retinal imaging techniques. Thus, examination of the retinal microcirculation can provide insights into the progression of numerous chronic metabolic disorders. This review discusses the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the retinal microvascular system, with a particular emphasis on the connections between retinal microcirculation and systemic circulation in both healthy states and in the context of prevalent chronic metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China.
| | - Meiyuan Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China; Graduate School of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Song Wen
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China.
| | - Xinlu Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China.
| | - Ligang Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China; Graduate School of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Vascular Lesions Regulation and Remodeling, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Shanghai, China.
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De Ciuceis C, Rosei CA, Malerba P, Rossini C, Nardin M, Chiarini G, Famà F, Lemoli M, Baresi M, Petelca A, Bortoluzzi C, Porteri E, Salvetti M, Muiesan ML, Rosei EA, Rizzoni D. Prognostic significance of the wall to lumen ratio of retinal arterioles evaluated by adaptive optics. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 122:86-92. [PMID: 37914655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Microvascular structural alterations may be considered an important form of hypertension-mediated organ damage. An increased media-to-lumen ratio of subcutaneous small arteries evaluated with locally invasive techniques (micromyography) predicts the development of cardiovascular (CV) events. However, it is not known whether retinal arteriole structural alterations evaluated with a noninvasive approach (Adaptive Optics) may have a prognostic significance. DESIGN AND METHODS Two-hundred and thirty-seven subjects (mean age 58.7 ± 16.1 years, age range 13-89 years; 116 males) were included in the study: 65 normotensive subjects (27.4 %) and 172 patients with essential hypertension or primary aldosteronism (72.6 %). All subjects underwent a non-invasive evaluation of retinal arteriolar wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) by Adaptive Optics. Subjects were re-evaluated after an average follow-up time of 4.55 years in order to assess the occurrence of clinical events (non CV and/or CV death or events). RESULTS Fifty-four events occurred in the study population:26 were cardio-cerebrovascular events (ischemic or hemorragic stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, cardiac valvular disease) while the remaining were deaths for any cause, or neoplastic diseases. Subjects with events were older and had a WLR of retinal arterioles significantly greater than those without events. The event-free survival was significantly worse in those with a baseline WLR above the median value of the population (0.28) according to Kaplan-Mayer survival curves and multivariate analysis (Cox's proportional hazard model). The evidence was confirmed after restricting the analysis to CV events. CONCLUSIONS Structural alterations of retinal arterioles evaluated by Adaptive Optics may predict total and CV events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina De Ciuceis
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy.
| | - Claudia Agabiti Rosei
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Paolo Malerba
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Claudia Rossini
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Matteo Nardin
- Third Division of Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy
| | - Giulia Chiarini
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Francesca Famà
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Matteo Lemoli
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Mattia Baresi
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Alina Petelca
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Chiara Bortoluzzi
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Enzo Porteri
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Massimo Salvetti
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Maria Lorenza Muiesan
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Enrico Agabiti Rosei
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Damiano Rizzoni
- Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy; Division of Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Montichiari, Brescia, Italy
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Żmijewska MA, Wawrzyniak ZM, Janiszewski M, Zaleska-Żmijewska A. Retinal Microcirculation Measurements in Response to Endurance Exercises Analysed by Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:710. [PMID: 38611623 PMCID: PMC11012106 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070710] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to precisely investigate the effects of intensive physical exercise on retinal microvascular regulation in healthy volunteers through adaptive optics retinal camera (AO) measurement. We included healthy volunteers (11 men and 14 women) aged 20.6 ± 0.9. The heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP) were recorded before and after a submaximal physical exertion of continuously riding a training ergometer. The superior temporal retinal artery measurements were captured using the AO-rtx1TM (Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) without pupil dilation. We compared measures of vessel diameter (VD), lumen diameter (LD), two walls (Wall 1, 2), wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR), and wall cross-sectional analysis (WCSA) before and immediately after the cessation of exercise. Cardiovascular parameter results: After exercise, SBP, DBP, and HR changed significantly from 130.2 ± 13.2 to 159.7 ± 15.6 mm Hg, 81.2 ± 6.3 to 77.1 ± 8.2 mm Hg, and 80.8 ± 16.1 to 175.0 ± 6.2 bpm, respectively (p < 0.002). Retinal microcirculation analysis showed no significant decrease in LD, Wall 1 after exercise: from 96.0 ± 6.8 to 94.9 ± 6.7 (p = 0.258), from 11.0 ± 1.5 to 10.4 ± 1.5 (p = 0.107), respectively, and significant reduction in VD from 118.5 ± 8.3 to 115.9 ± 8.3 (p = 0.047), Wall 2 from 11.5 ± 1.0 to 10.7 ± 1.3 (p = 0.017), WLR from 0.234 ± 0.02 to 0.222 ± 0.010 (p = 0.046), WCSA from 3802.8 ± 577.6 to 3512.3 ± 535.3 (p = 0.016). The AO is a promising technique for investigating the effects of exercise on microcirculation, allowing for the tracking of changes throughout the observation. Intensive dynamic physical exertion increases blood pressure and heart rate and causes the vasoconstriction of small retinal arterioles due to the autoregulation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anna Żmijewska
- Faculty of Medicine, Student Scientific Society “Eye”, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Zbigniew M. Wawrzyniak
- Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-065 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Janiszewski
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Zaleska-Żmijewska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Public Ophthalmic Clinical Hospital (SPKSO), Medical University of Warsaw, 00-576 Warsaw, Poland;
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Jung F. History of the cutaneous microcirculation from antiquity to modern times. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2024; 86:29-50. [PMID: 38363606 DOI: 10.3233/ch-248001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
This review spans a wide arc from the first observations of the early anatomists to the present day. William Harvey was the first to describe the heart as the centre of the large and small circulatory system. He thus replaced the previously valid system of Galenos, It was Marcello Malpighi who first described that the capillary system connects the arteries with the veins. In 1688 Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1686) confirmed these results with a paper on capillary perfusion in the caudal fin of the glass eel. It was then Hermann Boerhave (1668-1738, Leiden) who was the first to carry out microcirculation tests on patients. He studied the microcirculation in the human bulbar conjunctiva. Even today, microcirculation studies in the conjunctiva bulbi of patients are carried out today. Until 1831, it was never quite clear whether the observations reported belonged mainly to the field of microcirculation, which had not yet been defined. This was done in Great Britain by Marshall Hall (1790-1857). Technical Improvements allowed increasingly sophisticated studies of the morphological structure of the terminal vasculature. According to Gustav Ricker (1870-1948, Vienna), the terminal vasculature comprises the functional unit of the smallest arteries, arterioles, capillaries and venules. In 1921 it was still thought that the blood circulation was the sole response to the pumping action of the heart. Even the classic work by Bayliss on the myogenic hypothesis (later referred to as "blood flow autoregulation") initially received little attention. More strikingly, even the findings of August Krogh, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1920 (for his discovery of the mechanisms of capillary motor regulation), were ignored. During an outstanding autoregulation symposium held in 1963 a broad consensus was reached on active and passive mechanisms, which is more or less valid till today. The mechanisms of regulation of capillary blood flow are now largely understood, although not completely resolved. The development of video systems with recording capability and automated off-line recording of capillary erythrocyte velocities allowed the application of morphological and dynamic studies of cutaneous capillaries in humans. These reopened the field of physiological or pathophysiological questions again for many groups worldwide. Since 1955, many publications on "microcirculation (5423)" and "capillary microscopy (2195)" have been listed in pubmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Jung
- Institute of Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany
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Do T, Van A, Ataei A, Sharma S, Mohandas R. Microvascular Dysfunction in Obesity-Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 2023; 25:447-453. [PMID: 37837517 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to explore the role of microvascular dysfunction in obesity-hypertension, discuss the effects obesity has on renal microvasculature, review the current methods for assessing microvascular dysfunction and available therapeutic options, and identify critical areas for further research. RECENT FINDINGS There is a strong association between obesity and hypertension. However, the pathophysiology of obesity-hypertension is not clear. Microvascular dysfunction has been linked to hypertension and obesity and could be an important mediator of obesity-related hypertension. Newer therapies for hypertension and obesity could have ameliorating effects on microvascular dysfunction, including GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors. There is still much progress to be made in our understanding of the complex interplay between obesity, hypertension, and microvascular dysfunction. Continued efforts to understand microvascular dysfunction and its role in obesity-hypertension are crucial to develop precision therapy to target obesity-hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy Do
- Department of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ashley Van
- Department of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Arash Ataei
- Department of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Swati Sharma
- Section of Nephrology and Hypertension, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, 2021 Perdido Street, Ste 4325, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Rajesh Mohandas
- Section of Nephrology and Hypertension, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, 2021 Perdido Street, Ste 4325, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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8
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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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9
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Rizzoni D, Agabiti-Rosei C, Boari GEM, Muiesan ML, De Ciuceis C. Microcirculation in Hypertension: A Therapeutic Target to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease? J Clin Med 2023; 12:4892. [PMID: 37568294 PMCID: PMC10419740 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12154892] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is a common condition worldwide and an important risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular events, renal diseases, as well as microvascular eye diseases. Established hypertension leads to the chronic vasoconstriction of small arteries as well as to a decreased lumen diameter and the thickening of the arterial media or wall with a consequent increased media-to-lumen ratio (MLR) or wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR). This process, defined as vascular remodeling, was firstly demonstrated in small resistance arteries isolated from subcutaneous biopsies and measured by micromyography, and this is still considered the gold-standard method for the assessment of structural alterations in small resistance arteries; however, microvascular remodeling seems to represent a generalized phenomenon. An increased MLR may impair the organ flow reserve, playing a crucial role in the maintenance and, probably, also in the progressive worsening of hypertensive disease, as well as in the development of hypertension-mediated organ damage and related cardiovascular events, thus possessing a relevant prognostic relevance. New non-invasive techniques, such as scanning laser Doppler flowmetry or adaptive optics, are presently under development, focusing mainly on the evaluation of WLR in retinal arterioles; recently, also retinal microvascular WLR was demonstrated to have a prognostic impact in terms of cardio- and cerebrovascular events. A rarefaction of the capillary network has also been reported in hypertension, which may contribute to flow reduction in and impairment of oxygen delivery to different tissues. These microvascular alterations seem to represent an early step in hypertension-mediated organ damage since they might contribute to microvascular angina, stroke, and renal dysfunction. In addition, they can be markers useful in monitoring the beneficial effects of antihypertensive treatment. Additionally, conductance arteries may be affected by a remodeling process in hypertension, and an interrelationship is present in the structural changes in small and large conductance arteries. The review addresses the possible relations between structural microvascular alterations and hypertension-mediated organ damage, and their potential improvement with antihypertensive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Rizzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.A.-R.); (M.L.M.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Claudia Agabiti-Rosei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.A.-R.); (M.L.M.); (C.D.C.)
- Second Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianluca E. M. Boari
- Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Montichiari, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Maria Lorenza Muiesan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.A.-R.); (M.L.M.); (C.D.C.)
- Second Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Carolina De Ciuceis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (C.A.-R.); (M.L.M.); (C.D.C.)
- Second Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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10
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Escobar S, Peçanha D, Duque M, Duque A, Crahim V, De Lorenzo A, Tibiriçá E. Evaluation of systemic endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent microvascular reactivity in metabolically healthy obesity: An observational study. Microvasc Res 2023:104553. [PMID: 37230166 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104553] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), a phenotype of obesity considered to be of lower cardiovascular risk, is still a controversial concept. This study aimed to investigate the presence of subclinical systemic microvascular dysfunction in individuals with MHO. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study in which 112 volunteers were allocated into three groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), MHO, or metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. MHO was defined as the absence of any component of metabolic syndrome, except waist circumference. Microvascular reactivity was evaluated using cutaneous laser speckle contrast imaging. RESULTS Mean age was 33.2 ± 7.66 years. The median BMI in the MHNW, MHO and MUO groups was 23.6, 32.8, and 35.8 kg/m2, respectively. Baseline microvascular conductance values were lower in the MUO group (0.25 ± 0.08 APU/mmHg) than in MHO (0.30 ± 0.10 APU/mmHg) and MHNW groups (0.33 ± 0.12 APU/mmHg) (P = 0.0008). There were no significant differences regarding endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine stimulation or postocclusive reactive hyperemia) or endothelial-independent (sodium nitroprusside stimulation) microvascular reactivity among the groups. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with MUO had lower baseline systemic microvascular flow than those with MHNW or MHO, but endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent microvascular reactivity were not changed in any of the groups. The relatively young age of the study population, the low frequency of class III obesity, or the strict definition of MHO (absence of any metabolic syndrome criteria) might account for the lack of difference of microvascular reactivity among MHNW, MHO or MUO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silas Escobar
- National Institute of Cardiology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Maíra Duque
- National Institute of Cardiology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alice Duque
- National Institute of Cardiology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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Kong H, Lou W, Li J, Zhang X, Jin H, Zhao C. Retinal Vascular Geometry in Hypertension: cSLO-Based Method. Ophthalmol Ther 2023; 12:939-952. [PMID: 36583807 PMCID: PMC10011349 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00642-4] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aim to introduce a method using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) images for measuring retinal vascular geometry, including vessel branch angle (BA), vessel diameter, vessel tortuosity, and fractal dimension (Df), and to elucidate the relationship between hypertension and these metrics. METHODS A total of 119 participants (119 eyes) were enrolled, among which 72 were normotensive and 47 were hypertensive. Infrared cSLO images were extracted from the circular scan around the optics disc using a commercial cSLO + optical coherence tomography instrument. Preprocessed cSLO images were further analyzed using the appropriate tool/macro/plugin of ImageJ. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficients of selected methods used for conducting the cSLO-based geometric analyses were all higher than 0.80. Arterial/arteriolar BA, arteriolar vessel diameter, and total Df in normotensive subjects were 85.80 ± 7.79°, 116.80 ± 12.58 μm, and 1.430 ± 0.037, respectively, significantly higher than those of hypertensive subjects (82.13 ± 10.83°, 108.2 ± 11.12 μm, and 1.361 ± 0.044, all P < 0.05). The aforementioned metrics remained negatively correlated with hypertension even after adjusting for age alone or age and gender (P < 0.05). However, the difference between arteriolar tortuosity and all studied venous/venular geometric parameters in both subjects was insignificant (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Proposed cSLO-based methods for assessing various vascular geometric parameters were highly repeatable and reproducible. Arterial/arteriolar BA, arteriolar vessel diameter, and total Df were retinal vascular parameters significantly correlated with hypertension in a negative manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Kong
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Wei Lou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Jiaojie Li
- Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiying Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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12
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Streese L, Pichler FA, Hauser C, Hanssen H. Microvascular wall-to-lumen ratio in patients with arterial hypertension: A randomized controlled exercise trial. Microvasc Res 2023; 148:104526. [PMID: 36914089 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104526] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS High blood pressure is one of the main cardiovascular disease risk factors that contribute to vascular remodeling and dysfunction. We aimed to investigate I) group differences of the retinal microstructure between patients with hypertension and healthy individuals and II) the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on hypertension-induced microvascular remodeling in patients with hypertension in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS Arteriolar and venular retinal vessel microstructure including retinal vessel wall (RVW), lumen diameter and wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of 41 hypertensive patients, treated with anti-hypertensive medication, and 19 normotensive healthy controls were screened based on high-resolution fundoscopies. Patients with hypertension were randomized to a control group receiving standard physical activity recommendations and an intervention group receiving a supervised and walking-based HIIT for eight weeks. Measurements were repeated after the intervention period. RESULTS Hypertensive patients showed thicker arteriolar RVW (28.0 ± 7.7mu vs. 21.4 ± 4.4mu, p = 0.003) and higher arteriolar WLR (58.5 ± 14.8 % vs. 42.5 ± 8.2 %, p < 0.001) compared to normotensive controls. The intervention group showed reductions in arteriolar RVW (β -3.1 (95 % CI, -4.38, -1.78) p < 0.001) and arteriolar WLR (-5.3 (-10.14, -0.39) p = 0.035) compared to the control group. The intervention effects were independent of age, sex, change in blood pressure and change in cardiorespiratory fitness. CONCLUSIONS HIIT in patients with hypertension improves retinal vessel microvascular remodeling after eight weeks of training. In patients with hypertension, screening retinal vessel microstructure by fundoscopy and monitoring efficacy of short-term exercise treatment are sensitive diagnostic approaches to quantify microvascular health in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Streese
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Health Care, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Krefeld, Germany.
| | - Franziska Anna Pichler
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Hauser
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henner Hanssen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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13
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Mengozzi A, Costantino S, Mongelli A, Mohammed SA, Gorica E, Delfine V, Masi S, Virdis A, Ruschitzka F, Paneni F. Epigenetic Signatures in Arterial Hypertension: Focus on the Microvasculature. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054854. [PMID: 36902291 PMCID: PMC10003673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic arterial hypertension (AH) is a multifaceted disease characterized by accelerated vascular aging and high cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive work in the field, the pathogenesis of AH is still incompletely understood, and its treatment remains challenging. Recent evidence has shown a deep involvement of epigenetic signals in the regulation of transcriptional programs underpinning maladaptive vascular remodeling, sympathetic activation and cardiometabolic alterations, all factors predisposing to AH. After occurring, these epigenetic changes have a long-lasting effect on gene dysregulation and do not seem to be reversible upon intensive treatment or the control of cardiovascular risk factors. Among the factors involved in arterial hypertension, microvascular dysfunction plays a central role. This review will focus on the emerging role of epigenetic changes in hypertensive-related microvascular disease, including the different cell types and tissues (endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and perivascular adipose tissue) as well as the involvement of mechanical/hemodynamic factors, namely, shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mengozzi
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sarah Costantino
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Shafeeq A. Mohammed
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Era Gorica
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Delfine
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Frank Ruschitzka
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: or francesco.paneni@uzh; Tel.: +41-44-6355096
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14
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Rossi GP, Barton M, Dhaun N, Rizzoni D, Seccia TM. Challenges in the evaluation of endothelial cell dysfunction: a statement from the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Endothelin and Endothelial Factors. J Hypertens 2023; 41:369-379. [PMID: 36728915 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cell function is mediated by different mechanisms in different vascular beds. Moreover, in humans, endothelial cell dysfunction triggers and accelerates the progression of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Progression of such diseases can be in part mitigated by the control of cardiovascular risk factors and drugs targeting different systems, including endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs), renin-angiotensin aldosterone antagonists and agents affecting glucose metabolism, all of which were shown to improve endothelial cell function. In recent years, the microRNAs, which are endogenous regulators of gene expression, have been identified as transmitters of information from endothelial cells to vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting that they can entail tools to assess the endothelial cell dysfunction in arterial hypertension and target for pharmacologic intervention. This article critically reviews current challenges and limitations of available techniques for the invasive and noninvasive assessment of endothelial cell function, and also discusses therapeutic aspects as well as directions for future research in the areas of endothelial cell biology and pathophysiology in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Paolo Rossi
- Emergency Medicine Unit and European Society of Hypertension Specialized Center of Excellence for Hypertension, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Matthias Barton
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University of Zürich, and Andreas Grüntzig Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Neeraj Dhaun
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Damiano Rizzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia and Division of Medicine, Istituto Clinico Città di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Teresa M Seccia
- Emergency Medicine Unit and European Society of Hypertension Specialized Center of Excellence for Hypertension, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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15
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Rizzoni D, Agabiti-Rosei C, De Ciuceis C. State of the Art Review: Vascular Remodeling in Hypertension. Am J Hypertens 2023; 36:1-13. [PMID: 35961002 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the gold-standard method for the assessment of structural alteration in small resistance arteries is the evaluation of the MLR by micromyography in bioptic tissues, new, noninvasive techniques are presently under development, focusing mainly on the evaluation of WLR in retinal arterioles. These approaches represent a promising and interesting future perspective. Appropriate antihypertensive treatment is able to prevent the development of microvascular alterations or to induce their regression. Also, conductance arteries may be affected by a remodeling process in hypertension, and a cross-talk may exist between structural changes in the small and large arteries. In conclusion, the evaluation of microvascular structure is ready for clinical prime time, and it could, in the future, represent an evaluation to be performed in the majority of hypertensive patients, to better stratify cardiovascular risk and better evaluate the effects of antihypertensive therapy. However, for this purpose, we need a clear demonstration of the prognostic relevance of noninvasive measures of microvascular structure, in basal conditions and during treatment. Vascular remodeling may be frequently observed in hypertension, as well as in obesity and diabetes mellitus. An increased media to lumen ratio (MLR) or wall to lumen ratio (WLR) in microvessels is the hallmark of hypertension, and may impair organ flow reserve, being relevant in the maintenance and, probably, also in the progressive worsening of hypertensive disease, as well as in the development of hypertension-mediated organ damage/cardiovascular events. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of vascular remodeling are only partly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Rizzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Montichiari (Brescia), Italy
| | - Claudia Agabiti-Rosei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Second Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Carolina De Ciuceis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Second Division of Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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16
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Unattended versus Attended Blood Pressure Measurement: Relationship with Retinal Microcirculation. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236966. [PMID: 36498540 PMCID: PMC9736745 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the relationship between both “attended” and “unattended” BP and several forms of target organ damage have been evaluated, data on retinal arteriolar alterations are lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between “attended” or “unattended” BP values and retinal arteriolar changes in consecutive individuals undergoing a clinical evaluation and assessment of retinal fundus at an ESH Excellence Centre. An oscillometric device programmed to perform 3 BP measurements, at 1 min intervals and after 5 min of rest was used on all individuals to measure BP with the patient alone in the room (“unattended”) or in the presence of the physician (“attended”) in the same day in a random order. The retinal arteriole’s wall thickness (WT) was measured automatically by a localization algorithm as the difference between external (ED) and internal diameter (ID) by adaptive optics (RTX-1, Imagine Eyes, Orsay, Francia). Media-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of the retinal arterioles and cross-sectional area (WCSA) of the vascular wall were calculated. Results: One-hundred-forty-two patients were examined (mean age 57 ± 12 yrs, 48% female, mean BMI 26 ± 4). Among them, 60% had hypertension (84% treated) and 11% had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unattended systolic BP (SBP) was lower as compared to attended SBP (129 ± 14.8. vs. 122.1 ± 13.6 mmHg, p < 0.0001). WLR was similarly correlated with unattended and attended SBP (r = 0.281, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.382, p < 0.0001) and with unattended and attended diastolic BP (r = 0.34, p < 0.001 and r = 0.29, p < 0.0001). The differences between correlations were not statistically significant (Steiger’s Z test). Conclusion: The measurement of “unattended” or “attended” BP provides different values, and unattended BP is lower as compared to attended BP. In this study a similar correlation was observed between attended and unattended BP values and structural changes of retinal arterioles.
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