Artery Research

Objective: Carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) is a regional marker of vascular ageing: our aim was to take advantage of Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and High resolution Echotracking (HRE) in order to non-invasively investigate the effect of age and blood pressure (BP) on different segments of large arteries. Methods:...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of participation in Ironman triathlon competition on carotid properties, in relation to hemodynamic load. Methods: 28 male triathletes (41±8 years), participating at the Ironman competition (swimming 3.8 km, cycling 180 km, running 42,2...

Background: A hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) at moderate intensity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study sought to determine the haemodynamic predictors of exercise blood pressure (BP) and an HRE. Methods:...

Objectives: The reference standard for non-invasive central blood pressure (BP) measurement is radial tonometry calibrated using brachial BP. Brachial-to-radial-systolic-BP-amplification (Bra-Rad-SBPAmp) may introduce error into central BP measurement but the magnitude of Bra-Rad-SBPAmp in healthy people...

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of vascular organ damage. After a cardiac event, patients can be proposed to follow an educational and exercise program to prevent future events and improve their cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that the improvement of aerobic performance will depend...

Introduction: Measurement of Blood Pressure (BP) in children provides insight into future Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk. Objective: To examine the feasibility and reliability of home BP monitoring in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and compare to office BP measurement. Methods: Seven...

Objectives: We recently found significant age-related increases in brachial-to-radial systolic blood pressure amplification (Bra-Rad-SBPAmp), and this has implications for correct central SBP estimation. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have vascular irregularities that may alter Bra-Rad-SBPAmp...

Objective: To examine changes in ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) and left ventricular systolic function (LVFSYS) after a period of intensified antihypertensive treatment in patients with hypertension and type-2-diabetes. Methods: Patients were categorized as controlled- (CH), uncontrolled- (UH) or...

Objective: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at increased risk of CVD. The etiological mechanism or how to reduce risk is not known. Exercise can reduce CV risk in the general population. The objective was to test whether high intensity aerobic exercise reduces central arterial stiffness. Methods:...

Objective: There are sex differences in resting central pulse wave velocity (cPWV) but it is unclear if there are sex differences in the response to exercise. We evaluated potential sex differences of two measures of arterial stiffness and central pressures before and following maximal exercise. Methods:...

Aim: Important prognostic significance of day-night brachial blood pressure (BP) decline for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been established. It is little known about diurnal variations of arterial stiffness parameters – augmentation index (AI@75) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as the...

Objectives: We investigate associations between central hemodynamics and complications in type 1 diabetes. Methods: Cross-sectional study, 676 type 1 diabetes patients, mean±SD age 55±13, 375(56%) male. Central hemodynamics measured by pulse wave analyses (PWA) (SphygmoCor (Atcor Medical, Australia)...

Objectives: To examine the relationship between arterial stiffness and diastolic function in healthy normotensive subjects. Methods: For this study, 43 male (40±10 years) and 64 female (40±9 years) subjects were recruited. All were lifelong non-smokers, normolipidaemic, normoglycaemic and had normal...

To what degree elevated pulsatile components of blood pressure arise from a primary interaction of ventricular contraction with the impedance of the arterial tree or from more complex phenomena involving backward wave travel in the arterial tree is unknown. We used wave intensity analysis to explore...

Background: Timing errors during Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) support can be detrimental when interfering with cardiac function. In vivo hemodynamics and left ventricular (LV) function were monitored during premature IAB inflation, and the associated mechanisms investigated with Wave Intensity Analysis. Methods:...

Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) represents an early marker of vascular damage and a potent factor for future cardiovascular events. Our study aims to investigate interrelationships between ED, arterial stiffness and left ventricular geometry. Methods: We analyzed data from 85 ED patients (mean...

Background and aim: Arterial stiffness increases with age and has been found to predict cardiovascular disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammation marker and has been found to be associated with arterial stiffness and risk of cardiovascular disease. Genetic factors account for part of the variance...

Gender difference of cardiovascular disease is one of the most investigated and still unsolved items. Finding an answer to this, may have important implications for understanding the differences between men and women in atherosclerosis and possibly lead to the development of gender-specific treatment...

Purpose: The retina provides a non-invasive window to monitor microvascular circulation. Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV) is an indicator of large artery stiffness and is associated with systemic cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates whether Retinal artery PWV (rPWV) reflects cfPWV...

Central blood pressure (BP) is recognised as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have a beneficial effect on CVD. However, consumption of a lipid-rich meal may exert the opposite effect. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine whether...

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of ivabradine (I) and atenolol (A) on central aortic pressure in patients with stable angina and arterial hypertension (AH). Methods: The study was conducted on 31 hypertensive patients (57.1% male), mean age 61.9 ± 8.4 years, with angina pectoris of II-III...

Background: Clinical studies revealed age and pathological-related arterial stiffening. Arterial stiffening is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), which reflects both central elastic and peripheral muscular arterial stiffness, has been applied...

Background: Diurnal variations of brachial blood pressure have important prognostic implications. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in day- and night-time values of brachial and central hemodynamic parameters in two groups of borderline and resistant hypertensives. Methods: We performed...

Introduction: Aortic stiffness is related to renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease and may contribute to the high cardiovascular mortality in this group. However, the relationship between renal function and arterial haemodynamics in the general population has not previously been reported. Methods:...

Aim: Ambulatory monitoring of central blood pressure (BP) is a new technique for evaluation of antihypertensive drugs efficacy. The aim of the study was to assess changes in ambulatory brachial and central BP after indapamide SR adjunction to treatment regimen in hypertensive patients. Methods: Indapamide...

Background: Arterial calcification is commonly observed in cardiovascular disease and is associated with increased arterial stiffness, systolic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular outcome. Arterial calcification is an actively regulated process with several stimulating and inhibiting factors. An...