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Published on: June 28, 2019
Determinants of coronary flow velocity reserve in healthy young men
Tuomas O Kiviniemi1, Amir Snapir, Markku Saraste
1Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. tuoski@utu.fi
Insights
Abdominal fat accumulation and low aerobic fitness are key indicators of reduced coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in healthy young men. These factors independently predict CFVR, highlighting their importance for cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is a measure of myocardial blood flow capacity.
- Identifying early risk markers in healthy individuals is crucial for preventing cardiovascular disease.
- Atherosclerotic risk factors are not always apparent in young, healthy populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk markers for attenuated CFVR in healthy young men.
- To investigate the association between body composition, fat metabolism, and CFVR.
- To determine predictors of CFVR in a non-atherosclerotic cohort.
Main Methods:
- Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography to measure coronary blood flow velocity.
- Adenosine infusion to assess hyperemia-induced flow.
- Anthropometric measures, adiponectin, and leptin levels for body composition and fat metabolism.
- Ergospirometry to evaluate physical performance capacity.
Main Results:
- Maximal load (W/kg) and waist-to-hip ratio were independent predictors of CFVR.
- Abdominal fat accumulation (waist-to-hip ratio) and low aerobic fitness (maximal load) were significantly associated with reduced CFVR.
- No relationship was found between CFVR and serum lipids or body mass index.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal fat accumulation and reduced aerobic fitness are independently associated with attenuated CFVR in healthy young men.
- These findings suggest that lifestyle factors play a significant role in early cardiovascular health.
- Waist-to-hip ratio and aerobic capacity are valuable markers for assessing coronary circulatory function in this population.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to identify risk markers for attenuated coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) that exist in healthy young men without evident atherosclerotic risk factors. Coronary blood flow velocity was measured with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography at baseline and during adenosine infusion in 37 healthy nonsmoking men [mean age, 27 yr (SD 4.0)]. Body composition and distribution of fat tissue were assessed with anthropometric measures and regulation of fat metabolism by determination of adiponectin and leptin levels. Physical performance capacity was tested with ergospirometry. The mean body mass index was 23 kg/m2 (SD 1.9), waist-to-hip ratio was 0.84 (SD 0.04), and CFVR was 3.5 (SD 0.61). Obesity indexes at study outset, leptin, adiponectin, maximal load (Max load in W/kg) and maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2 peak in ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) in ergospirometry, rate-pressure product, and heart rate at rest were significantly associated with CFVR. In multivariate analysis, Max load (in W/kg) and waist-to-hip ratio were the only independent predictors of CFVR. We found no relationship between CFVR and serum lipids or body mass index. We conclude that abdominal fat accumulation and low aerobic fitness are independently associated with CFVR in men.
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