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Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
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Comparison of arterial assessments in low and high vascular disease risk groups

Andrew M Wilson1, David O'Neal, Craig L Nelson

  • 1University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. wilsonam@svhm.org.au

American Journal of Hypertension
|April 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Small arterial elasticity (SAE/C2) correlates with endothelial function (FMD) in healthy and diabetic individuals. Arterial function measure interrelationships differ between low and high vascular disease risk populations.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Multiple arterial function assessments exist, including small and large arterial elasticity (SAE/C2, LAE/C1), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse pressure (PP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV).
  • Understanding the interrelationships between these measures is crucial for accurate vascular disease risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the interrelationships between various arterial function measures in subjects with low and high vascular disease risks.
  • To determine if arterial elasticity (C2) correlates with endothelial function (FMD) and other vascular parameters in healthy and diabetic populations.

Main Methods:

  • Consecutive measurements of SAE (C2), LAE (C1), FMD, IMT, ABI, PP, and PWV were performed in 20 healthy subjects (HS) and 20 older subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
  • All measurements were conducted by a single operator in a single session.
  • Statistical correlations were analyzed between different arterial function parameters within each group.

Main Results:

  • In HS, C2 correlated significantly with FMD, PWV, and ABI.
  • In DM, C2 correlated with FMD, systolic blood pressure (BP), PP, and systemic vascular resistance.
  • No significant correlations were found between anthropometric measures and arterial function, nor between IMT and any arterial function measure in either group.

Conclusions:

  • Small arterial elasticity (C2) assessed by pulse wave analysis correlates with endothelial function (FMD) in both healthy young and older diabetic subjects.
  • Blood pressure and pulse pressure correlate with C2 and FMD in older diabetic subjects, but not in healthy subjects.
  • The interrelationships among arterial function measures vary significantly between low and high vascular disease risk populations, necessitating careful consideration in clinical applications.
Abstract

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