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Arterial stiffness is associated with carotid intraplaque hemorrhage in the general population: the Rotterdam study

Mariana Selwaness1, Quirijn van den Bouwhuijsen, Francesco U S Mattace-Raso

  • 1From the Departments of Epidemiology (M.S., G.C.V., A.H., O.H.F., J.C.M.W., M.W.V.), Radiology (Q.v.d.B., A.v.d.L., M.W.V.), Internal Medicine (F.U.S.M.-R.), and Cardiology, Biomedical Engineering (J.J.W.), Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|February 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Increased arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is linked to more carotid atherosclerotic plaques and intraplaque hemorrhage. This suggests PWV may indicate plaque vulnerability.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis are key cardiovascular risks.
  • The link between arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic plaque composition is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and the presence and composition of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study measured aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 6527 participants.
  • Carotid plaque presence was assessed via ultrasound; composition (hemorrhage, lipid, calcification) was analyzed using MRI in 1059 subjects.
  • Generalized estimation equation analyses were employed, adjusting for multiple covariates.

Main Results:

  • Higher PWV correlated with increased prevalence of carotid plaques.
  • Elevated PWV was associated with intraplaque hemorrhage and calcification, but not lipid content.
  • PWV remained significantly associated with intraplaque hemorrhage after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Higher arterial stiffness (PWV) is associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
  • Specifically, increased PWV is linked to intraplaque hemorrhage, suggesting a role in vulnerable plaque development.
Abstract

Keywords:
atherosclerosiscarotid arteriesvascular stiffness

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