Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 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: a brief review

Najeeb A Shirwany1, Ming-hui Zou

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, 73104, USA.

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
|August 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffening, a key aspect of vascular aging, significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk. New methods offer better assessment of this condition for improved diagnostics and patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gerontology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Physical stiffening of large arteries is central to vascular aging.
  • Arterial stiffness contributes to major cardiovascular diseases and mortality.
  • Accurate measures of arterial stiffness are crucial for diagnosis and prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review structural and pathophysiological determinants of vascular stiffening.
  • To discuss implications for vascular research and medicine.
  • To critically evaluate new techniques for assessing arterial stiffness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of structural and pathophysiological determinants.
  • Analysis of implications for clinical practice and research.
  • Critical appraisal of novel vascular stiffness assessment techniques.

Main Results:

  • Vascular stiffening is a significant risk factor for hypertension, stroke, and heart failure.
  • Arterial stiffness assessment aids in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Emerging techniques offer improved accuracy and less invasiveness.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding vascular stiffening is critical for managing age-related cardiovascular diseases.
  • Advanced assessment methods enhance diagnostic and predictive capabilities.
  • Further research into arterial stiffness is vital for medical advancements.

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

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...
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...
Autoregulation of Blood Flow01:17

Autoregulation of Blood Flow

Autoregulation mechanisms are characterized by their inherent capacity for self-regulation without necessitating specific nervous stimulation or endocrine control. These mechanisms facilitate the adjustment of blood flow and, therefore, perfusion specific to each tissue region. This self-regulation encompasses chemical signals and myogenic controls.
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation.
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)...
Overview of Systemic Arteries01:11

Overview of Systemic Arteries

The human body is a complex, well-organized machine, and at the heart of its operations lies the circulatory system. This network of blood vessels, which includes systemic arteries, plays a vital role in maintaining life by transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste products to and from cells throughout the body.
Systemic circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Arteries of Lower Limbs01:20

Arteries of Lower Limbs

The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular artery,...