Differences of aortic stiffness and aortic intima-media thickness according to the type of initial presentation in patients with ischemic stroke

Long-Term Adverse Effects of Neck Radiotherapy in Childhood on the Carotid Arteries in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are recognized to have an increased risk of stroke and carotid artery disease owing to neck irradiation (RT). However, it remains unclear whether the vascular modifications induced by the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma during childhood persist over the long term.

METHODS

Our matched study involved 79 survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood who received neck RT and 57 healthy controls. Parameters of arterial stiffness (AS), intima-media thickness (IMT), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of carotid arteries were assessed using ultrasound.

RESULTS

Our patient cohort demonstrated a significant increase in AS compared to controls (p < 0.05), though no such disparity was observed for FMD (p = 0.111). Neck RT intensified AS (B = 0.037, p = 0.000), while anthracyclines attenuated it (B = -0.803, p = 0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between neck RT (p < 0.001) and AS. However, we found no significant association between neck RT and FMD (p = 0.277). We identified a substantial positive correlation between the dose of neck RT and AS.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular changes in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma after neck RT seem to be long-term. Therefore, these patients may have an increased risk of stroke. We suggest refinement of international guidelines according to our results.

Ultrasonographic assessment of abdominal aortic elasticity in hypertensive dogs

Background

Systemic hypertension (SH) is a persistent and pathological increase in arterial blood pressure (BP). Chronic SH leads to an increase in aortic (Ao) stiffness, and measuring Ao elasticity is useful for estimating Ao stiffness in humans. Currently, no literature in veterinary medicine describes noninvasive assessment of abdominal Ao elasticity in dogs with SH.

Objective

Compare ultrasonographic‐derived abdominal Ao strain (AoSt) between hypertensive (HT) and normotensive (NT) dogs.

Animals

Fifty privately‐owned dogs with clinical signs, conditions, or both potentially associated with SH.

Methods

Prospective observational case‐control study. Aortic stiffness was estimated by calculating AoSt as follows: AoSt = ([AoDs − AoDd]/AoDd) × 100, where AoDs and AoDd are the Ao diameter in systole and in diastole, respectively. Aortic stiffness was calculated from 2 different Ao transverse sections, the first caudal to the left renal artery (K_AoSt), and the second cranial to the external iliac arteries (I_AoSt).

Results

Thirty‐two dogs were included in the HT group and 18 in the NT group. Both K_AoSt and I_AoSt in HT dogs were significantly lower (P < .05) than in NT dogs (7.4 ± SD 3.6) vs 10.3 (±3.8) and 5.7 (interquartile range [IQR], 3.9‐7.5) vs 8.1 (IQR, 7‐10.3), respectively. Only K_AoSt was significantly influenced by age.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Ultrasonographic Ao elasticity assessment was feasible to compare HT and NT dogs. Results indicated that K_AoSt and I_AoSt indices can be used to assess SH‐related Ao stiffness, especially when indirect BP measurements are inconsistent or inaccurate. Additional studies to assess the AoSt in healthy dogs of various ages are needed.

Quantification of aortic stiffness in stroke patients using 4D flow MRI in comparison with transesophageal echocardiography

To quantify stiffness of the descending aorta (DAo) in stroke patients using 4D flow MRI and compare results with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 48 acute stroke patients undergoing 4D flow MRI and TEE were included. Intima-media-thickness (IMT) was measured in the DAo and the aorta was scrutinized for atherosclerotic plaques using TEE. Stiffness of the DAo was determined by (a) 4D flow MRI at 3 T by calculating pulse wave velocity (PWV) and by (b) TEE calculating arterial strain, stiffness index, and distensibility coefficient. Mean IMT was 1.43 ± 1.75. 7 (14.6%) subjects had no sign of atherosclerosis, 10 (20.8%) had IMT-thickening or plaques < 4 mm, and 31 (66.7%) had at least one large and/or complex plaque in the aorta. Increased IMT significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with increased DAo stiffness in MRI (PWV r = 0.66) and in TEE (strain r = 0.57, stiffness index r = 0.64, distensibility coefficient r = 0.57). Patients with at least IMT-thickening had significantly higher stiffness values compared to patients without atherosclerosis. However, no difference was observed between patients with plaques < 4 mm and patients with plaques ≥ 4 mm. PWV and TEE parameters of stiffness correlated significantly [strain (r = - 0.36; p = 0.011), stiffness index (r = 0.51; p = 0.002), and distensibility coefficient (r = - 0.59; p < 0.001)]. 4D flow MRI and TEE-based parameters of aortic stiffness were associated with markers of atherosclerosis such as IMT-thickness and presence of plaques. We believe that 4D flow MRI is a promising tool for future studies of aortic atherosclerosis, due to its longer coverage of the aorta and non-invasiveness.

Arterial stiffness and stroke: de-stiffening strategy, a therapeutic target for stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Early intervention is of great importance in reducing disease burden. Since the conventional risk factors cannot fully account for the pathogenesis of stroke, it is extremely important to detect useful biomarkers of the vascular disorder for appropriate intervention. Arterial stiffness, a newly recognised reliable feature of arterial structure and function, is demonstrated to be associated with stroke onset and serve as an independent predictor of stroke incidence and poststroke functional outcomes. In this review article, different measurements of arterial stiffness, especially pressure wave velocity, were discussed. We explained the association between arterial stiffness and stroke occurrence by discussing the secondary haemodynamic changes. We reviewed clinical data that support the prediction role of arterial stiffness on stroke. Despite the lack of long-term randomised double-blind controlled therapeutic trials, it is high potential to reduce stroke prevalence through a significant reduction of arterial stiffness (which is called de-stiffening therapy). Pharmacological interventions or lifestyle modification that can influence blood pressure, arterial function or structure in either the short or long term are promising de-stiffening therapies. Here, we summarised different de-stiffening strategies including antihypertension drugs, antihyperlipidaemic agents, chemicals that target arterial remodelling and exercise training. Large and well-designed clinical trials on de-stiffening strategy are needed to testify the prevention effect for stroke. Novel techniques such as modern microscopic imaging and reliable animal models would facilitate the mechanistic analyses in pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutics.

Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness by Echocardiography: Methodological Aspects

As humans age, degenerative changes in the arterial structure gradually progress and result in the stiffening of the arteries, which is called arteriosclerosis. Arterial stiffness is now an established risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This stiffening has adverse effects for both the general population as well as for patients with CVD. Measurements of pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis are the two most commonly used methods in the evaluation of arterial stiffness, but these methods just allow indirect measures of arterial stiffness. Echocardiography is the most widely used imaging modality in the evaluation of cardiac structure and function and with recent technical advances, it has become possible to evaluate the structure, function and blood flow hemodynamics of the arteries using echocardiography. In the present review, we will discuss the current status of echocardiography in the evaluation of arterial stiffness, especially focusing on the methodological aspects.