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Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
Published on: December 2, 2014
Aortic stiffness predicts functional outcome in patients after ischemic stroke
Dariusz Gasecki1, Agnieszka Rojek, Mariusz Kwarciany
1Department of Neurology for Adults, Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Stroke
|November 15, 2011
Summary
Aortic stiffness, measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, independently predicts stroke recovery. Lower pulse wave velocity indicates a better functional outcome after ischemic stroke.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Aortic stiffness and central augmentation index predict cardiovascular events.
- Their role in predicting functional outcome after ischemic stroke is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index predict functional outcome after ischemic stroke.
- To determine the independent predictive value of these measures.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 99 acute ischemic stroke patients.
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index measured 1 week post-stroke.
- Functional outcome assessed at 90 days using modified Rankin Scale.
Main Results:
- Low carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (<9.4 m/s) significantly predicted excellent stroke outcome (OR, 0.21; P=0.02) in multivariate analysis.
- Low central augmentation index was associated with excellent outcome in univariate but not multivariate analysis.
- Age, stroke severity, prior stroke, diabetes, heart rate, and peripheral pressures also predicted outcome.
Conclusions:
- Aortic stiffness, assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, is an independent predictor of functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.
- Central augmentation index did not independently predict functional outcome.
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