Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy
10:35

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2016

Arterial stiffness is associated with regional ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction: the Multi-Ethnic Study

Verônica Rolim S Fernandes1, Joseph F Polak, Susan Cheng

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. jlima@jhmi.edu

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|October 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness is linked to impaired systolic and diastolic heart function, even before symptoms appear. This highlights the importance of vascular compliance in maintaining overall cardiac health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Vascular Physiology
  • Cardiac Mechanics

Background:

  • Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction (EF) has unclear pathophysiology.
  • Limited research exists on the relationship between arterial compliance and LV function in humans.
  • No prior studies utilized cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to explore this connection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between arterial compliance and regional myocardial function.
  • To determine if arterial stiffness impacts systolic and diastolic strain rates.
  • To explore this relationship in participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Main Methods:

  • Arterial compliance measured via carotid ultrasound (distensibility coefficient [DC], Young's modulus [YM]).
  • Regional myocardial function assessed using circumferential systolic (SR(S)) and diastolic (SR(E)) strain rates derived from tagged CMR.
  • Statistical analyses adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and LV mass.

Main Results:

  • Significant associations found between arterial compliance and SR(S) across all myocardial regions.
  • Arterial compliance correlated with SR(E) in the lateral and septal walls.
  • A direct linear relationship between carotid artery DC and SR(S) persisted after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness is associated with early, asymptomatic impairment of both systolic and diastolic myocardial function.
  • Vascular compliance plays a role in the development of ventricular dysfunction.
  • Further research is required to fully understand the impact of vascular compliance on heart failure development.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound10:08

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Published on: December 2, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...