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Aortic pulse wave velocity measurement in systemic sclerosis patients

M Colaci1, D Giuggioli, A Manfredi

  • 1Rheumatology Unit, Centre of Lung Rare Diseases, MaRP,University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. michelecolaci@virgilio.it

Reumatismo
|January 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Systemic sclerosis patients show significantly increased aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), indicating greater arterial stiffness. This finding suggests more widespread vascular damage in specific SSc subsets.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves endothelial dysfunction and microangiopathy, with potential macrovascular implications.
  • Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is a key indicator of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular event prognosis.
  • Non-invasive measurement of aPWV offers a practical tool for assessing vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate alterations in aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
  • To correlate aPWV findings with cardiopulmonary involvement in SSc patients.
  • To identify potential subsets of SSc patients with increased vascular damage.

Main Methods:

  • Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) was measured in 35 female SSc patients and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
  • Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac structure and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PAPs).
  • Clinical parameters including the six-minute walking test and disease characteristics were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • SSc patients exhibited significantly higher aPWV compared to controls (9.4 ± 3.2 m/s vs 7.3 ± 1 m/s, P=0.002).
  • Increased aPWV (>9 m/s) was found in 40% of SSc patients versus 4% of controls (P=0.0009).
  • SSc patients showed increased right atrial/ventricular dilatation, elevated PAPs, and reduced six-minute walking test distance, particularly those >50 years old, with limited cutaneous SSc, longer disease duration, or ACA positivity.

Conclusions:

  • A significantly higher prevalence of elevated aPWV was observed in SSc patients, indicating increased arterial stiffness.
  • These findings suggest more pronounced and diffuse vascular damage in specific SSc subsets, such as ACA-positive individuals with limited cutaneous scleroderma and longer disease duration.
  • aPWV may serve as a valuable non-invasive marker for assessing macrovascular involvement in Systemic Sclerosis.
Abstract

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