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Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
Age and blood pressure levels modify the functional properties of central but not peripheral arteries
Astrid G Ruitenbeek1, Tischa J M van der Cammen, Anton H van den Meiracker
1Section of Geriatric Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Insights
Age and blood pressure significantly impact central artery distensibility, particularly in older adults. Peripheral artery distensibility, however, remained unaffected by these factors in the study population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Geriatric Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Arterial distensibility is a key indicator of vascular health.
- Aging and hypertension are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding factors affecting central versus peripheral arteries is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between age, blood pressure, and distensibility of carotid and radial arteries.
- To determine if central (carotid) and peripheral (radial) arteries respond differently to these factors.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving patients from Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine outpatient clinics.
- Measurement of carotid and radial artery distensibility coefficients.
- Linear regression analyses to assess associations between age, blood pressure, and arterial distensibility.
Main Results:
- Carotid artery distensibility significantly decreased with increasing age (beta = -0.317).
- Higher systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were associated with reduced carotid distensibility (beta = -0.571 and beta = -0.410, respectively).
- Radial artery distensibility showed no significant decrease with age or association with blood pressure parameters.
Conclusions:
- Age and blood pressure are significant determinants of central arterial distensibility.
- Peripheral arterial distensibility appears less affected by age and blood pressure compared to central arteries.
- Findings highlight differential aging patterns in central versus peripheral vasculature.
Abstract:
The effect of age and blood pressure on the carotid and the radial artery distensibilities was investigated. Patients referred to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine were asked to participate in the study. The carotid and radial artery distensibility coefficients were measured. Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between determinants and arterial distensibility. The mean age of the participants was 72.3 years, and 41.5% were men. Carotid distensibility decreased with age in adjusted models (beta = -0.317; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.241, -0.055), whereas the radial distensibility did not decrease. Levels of systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were associated with decreasing levels of carotid distensibility, whereas the diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were not associated (beta = -0.571; 95% CI, -0.404, -0.007; beta = -0.410; 95% CI, -0.308, -0.101, respectively). In conclusion, age and blood pressure levels are associated with the distensibility of the central arteries but not with that of the peripheral arteries.
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