Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Low serum bilirubin concentrations are associated with impaired aortic elastic properties, but not impaired left

M Caliskan1, D Erdogan, H Gullu

  • 1Cardiology Department, Konya Teaching and Medical Research Center, Baskent University, Konya, Turkey.

International Journal of Clinical Practice
|September 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Higher serum bilirubin levels are linked to better aortic elasticity in healthy individuals. Lower bilirubin concentrations are associated with impaired aortic elastic properties, suggesting a protective role for bilirubin.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Elevated serum bilirubin is known to protect against atherosclerotic diseases.
  • The role of physiological ranges of serum bilirubin in cardiovascular health remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between high and low serum bilirubin concentrations and left ventricular diastolic function.
  • To assess the impact of serum bilirubin levels on aortic elastic properties.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic second harmonic Doppler echocardiography was used to evaluate 42 healthy subjects with hypobilirubinemia and 40 with hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Left ventricular diastolic function and aortic elastic properties were assessed.
  • Coronary risk factors, age, gender, and body mass index were similar between groups, with the exception of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

Main Results:

  • Left ventricular diastolic parameters were comparable between the hypobilirubinemic and hyperbilirubinemic groups.
  • Subjects with lower serum bilirubin (hypobilirubinemia) exhibited significantly lower aortic distensibility (AoD) and higher aortic stiffness index (AoSI) and elastic modulus (AoEM).
  • Serum total bilirubin concentration correlated with hsCRP levels, AoD, AoSI, and AoEM.

Conclusions:

  • Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were similar in subjects with hypo- and hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Impaired aortic elastic properties were observed in individuals with lower serum bilirubin concentrations.
  • Physiological variations in serum bilirubin may influence vascular elasticity.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism11:04

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism

Published on: September 1, 2014

Related Concept Videos

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...
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...