Objective: Besides traditional risk factors, other factors such as life stressors are linked with incident cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanisms for this association remain mostly unknown. We studied the relation of life stressors (job strain, sleep loss due to worry, illness or...

Objective: To explore the characteristics of pre-existing Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) in young patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) caused by large artery atherosclerosis or small artery occlusion. Methods: A total of 400 patients with suspected stroke or transient ischemic attack who...

Objective: Our aim was to examine the impact of mismatch patterns reflecting pre- and post-natal growth conditions on markers of arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics in young adults. Methods: In all, 1056 participants from Malmö Offspring Study, 484 men and 572 women (age-range 18–44 years),...

Background: Arteriosclerosis Obliterans (ASO) is an important cause for lower limb amputation. We aimed to compare the effects of interventional and conservative therapies on lower extremity ASO, and to analyze the risk factors for prognosis. Methods: Ninety-eight eligible patients were randomly divided...

Low, oscillatory flow/shear patterns are associated with atherosclerotic lesion development. Increased expression of KCa3.1 has been found in Vascular Smooth Muscle (VSM), macrophages and T-cells in lesions from humans and mice. Increased expression of KCa3.1, is also required for VSM cell proliferation...

Frequent assessment of vascular health (e.g., arterial stiffness) may predict the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The Second Derivative of the finger Photoplethysmogram Aging Index (SDPTGAI) may be used as an index of vascular aging and a screening tool for arteriosclerotic disease. To test its...

Background: Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) and Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) are widely used in clinic for evaluating arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis separately. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of baPWV and ABI for cardiovascular risk assessment in elderly Chinese. Methods:...

Background: Exercise training-induced adaptation of central Blood Pressure (BP) depends on exercise mode. Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art, is a unique exercise mode because its training encompasses anaerobic and resistance training components. However, the effects of habitual kendo training...

Homebased exercise is often advocated to improve physical fitness in the aging population, especially when outdoor activity is not available. Yet we often have a limited understanding of its training effects for clinical uses. Aim: To investigate a short-term exercise training of standing core exercise...

Purpose/Background/Objective: According to reservoir-wave approach (RWA) arterial pressure is the sum of a reservoir pressure (RP) accounting for dynamic storage and release of blood from arteries, and an excess pressure (XSP) analogous to flow. RP is the minimal left ventricular work required to generate...

Purpose: Studies support beneficial effects of isoflavones, but antidiabetic effects of these agents remains unconfirmed [1,2]. This pilot study investigates isoflavones and Inonotus obliquus (chaga) extract effects on diabetes. Methods: Diabetes was induced (streptozotocin 65 mg/kg, nicotinamide 110...

Purpose: The adaptation process of the cardiovascular system to exercise and muscular strength in young athletes is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the influence of changes in muscular strength and weekly training load within one year on arterial stiffness in young male soccer players. Methods:...

Purpose/Background: Sarcopenia (decrease of muscle mass and function) has been linked with atherosclerosis [1]. The EWGSOP2 updated consensus, uses low muscle strength as the primary indicator of sarcopenia [2]. It is acknowledged that strength is better than mass for predicting adverse outcomes [2]....

Background and Aims: Active vitamin D [1,25(OH)2D3] deficiency is a potential modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular (CVD) and renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and stage 3/4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Exact mechanisms are unclear. Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor...

Background and Objectives: The cushioning effect of large, healthy arteries reduces pulsatile afterload to the heart, reduces pulsatility in the microvasculature of target organs, and promotes coronary/cerebral perfusion [1]. With age, large arteries become stiffer, which increases both pulse wave velocity...

Purpose/Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular risk is increased in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders [1]. Endothelial and platelet MVs (EMVs, PMVs) are small vesicles (0.1–1 μm) released from plasma membrane and represent novel markers of endothelial dysfunction and thrombosis. Their levels...

Purpose/Background/Objective: We have previously shown that restoration of kidney function through kidney transplantation (KTx) is associated with improved aortic stiffness. In this study, we aim to examine whether this change in aortic stiffness translates into improvement of radial artery systolic-diastolic...

Introduction: Anti-cancer treatment can lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity among lymphoma survivors [1]. This may be the result of direct effect of treatment on heart function, or indirect acceleration of atherosclerosis. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake is a sensitive and robust marker for...

Purpose: To compare augmentation index (AIx) between one Moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise (MICPE) and one High-intensity interval physical exercise (HIIPE) session in normal/high normal blood pressure (BP) (120–140 for systolic and 80–90 mmHg for diastolic). Additionally, to compare two...

Background: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is becoming the preferred treatment option to repair the proximal descending aorta after rupture following blunt traumatic injury. However, hemodynamic and mechanic implications of this intervention are poorly understood. Exploiting the possibilities...

Background: In the early stages of atrial remodeling, increased aortic stiffness might indicate atrial fibrosis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between left atrial (LA) mechanical function, assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and aortic stiffness...

Rationale and Aim: This study is aimed at identifying possible patterns of vascular wall disarray and remodeling in radial arteries of patients with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), by means of ultrahigh frequency ultrasound (UHFUS). Methods: UHFUS scans of the radial arteries and of 30 FMD patients and...

Background: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is used in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) because of its antithrombotic effects. We investigated whether ASA has additional therapeutic value by preventing the progression of inflammation and cardiovascular remodelling in mice with stable atherosclerosis...

Background: Many genetic mutations affect aortic structure and function in mice, but little is known about the influence of background strain. We compared the biomechanical, structural, and gene expression responses of C57BL/6J and 129SvEv aortas to angiotensin II (AngII)-induced hypertension. Methods:...