Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2015
[Correlation of large artery stiffness and coronary flow velocity reserve]
Yan-ting Hao1, Yong-zhen Zhang, Jie-ming Mao
1Department of Cardiology, Third Hospital Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Insights
Increased arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity, is linked to reduced coronary flow velocity reserve, indicating impaired heart microcirculation and higher cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Physiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Context:
- Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) assesses coronary endothelial function and microcirculation.
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV) quantifies large artery stiffness and predicts cardiovascular events.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between large artery stiffness (measured by brachial-ankle PWV) and CFVR.
Summary:
- 101 subjects were grouped by brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV). Higher baPWV correlated with lower CFVR (2.66 ± 0.74 vs 2.95 ± 0.76, P < 0.01).
- A significant negative correlation was found between baPWV and CFVR (r = -0.35, P < 0.01).
- Higher baPWV was associated with older age, hypertension, and diabetes, factors contributing to arteriosclerosis.
Impact:
- Findings suggest increased vascular stiffness impairs coronary endothelial function and microcirculation.
- This impairment may elevate the risk of cardiovascular events.
- Highlights the clinical relevance of assessing arterial stiffness for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Objective:
Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is an important indicator of coronary endothelial functions and microcirculation. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects the degree of aortic sclerosis and it is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation of large artery stiffness and CFVR.
Methods:
A total of 101 consecutive subjects were enrolled to measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). According to the presence or absence of higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s), they were divided into 2 groups. Transthoracic echocardiography was employed to measure coronary flow velocity in coronary left anterior descending (LAD). Then after an intravenous infusion of adenosine triphosphate, the velocity of blood flow was measured when the vessel was in maximal dilation. The ratio of flow velocity of those in maximal dilation to those at rest was CFVR.
Results:
The subjects with a higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s) were markedly elder and had higher risks of hypertension and diabetes. Thus age, hypertension and diabetes contributed to arteriosclerosis. More importantly, the subjects with a higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s) had a much lower level of CFVR (2.66 ± 0.74 vs 2.95 ± 0.76; P < 0.01) than those with a lower baPWV (< 1400 cm/s). Furthermore correlation analysis showed that CFVR and baPWV levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.35, P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
A negative correlation exists between artery stiffness and coronary flow velocity reserve. The increased vascular stiffness may impair coronary endothelial function, cause the dysfunction of coronary microcirculation and raise the risks of cardiovascular events.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Vascular Resistance
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
01:17Autoregulation of Blood Flow
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation.
01:22Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...