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Arterial stiffness indexes in acute ischemic stroke: relationship with stroke subtype
Antonino Tuttolomondo1, Riccardo Di Sciacca, Domenico Di Raimondo
1Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, P.zza delle Cliniche n.2, 90127 Palermo, Italy. brunotutto@unipa.it
Atherosclerosis
|March 16, 2010
Summary
Patients with acute ischemic stroke exhibit elevated arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and Augmentation Index (Aix). Lacunar stroke subtypes showed the highest arterial stiffness indexes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Arterial stiffness, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and Augmentation Index (Aix), has not been previously evaluated in acute cerebrovascular events.
- Understanding arterial stiffness in stroke patients is crucial for identifying potential risk factors and developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate arterial stiffness indexes (PWV and Aix) in patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke.
- To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and clinical/laboratory variables in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 107 acute ischemic stroke patients and 102 control subjects were enrolled.
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using Applanation tonometry.
- Aortic pressure waveform analysis was used to calculate the Augmentation Index (Aix).
Main Results:
- Acute ischemic stroke patients demonstrated significantly higher mean Aix and PWV compared to controls.
- The lacunar stroke subtype exhibited the highest Aix and PWV values compared to other stroke subtypes (LAAS, CEI).
Conclusions:
- Patients with acute ischemic stroke present with increased arterial stiffness.
- Elevated arterial stiffness, particularly in the lacunar subtype, is associated with hypertension and diabetes, underscoring the link between these conditions and vascular health.
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