Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
Published on: December 2, 2014
Arterial Stiffness, Distensibility, and Strain in Asthmatic Children
Esra Akyüz Özkan1, Halil İbrahim Serin2, Hashem E Khosroshahi3
1Department of Pediatrics, Bozok University Medical Faculty, Yozgat, Turkey.
Insights
Childhood asthma may accelerate atherosclerosis development. Asthmatic children showed higher arterial distensibility and strain, and lower stiffness in peripheral arteries compared to controls, suggesting early vascular changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Vascular biology
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Inflammation may contribute to early atherosclerosis development in childhood-onset asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate arterial stiffness, distensibility, and strain in peripheral arteries of children with asthma.
- To assess if these parameters indicate early atherosclerosis in pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- Compared 22 children with asthma to 18 healthy children.
- Measured renal, carotid, and brachial artery diameters.
- Calculated arterial stiffness, distensibility, and strain.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in carotid artery parameters between groups.
- Asthmatic children had higher brachial and right renal artery distensibility and strain.
- Asthmatic children had lower right renal artery stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral arteries exhibit altered mechanical properties in children with asthma.
- Increased distensibility and strain, with decreased stiffness, suggest potential early vascular changes related to asthma.
Background:
We hypothesized that since asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, it could lead to the early development of atherosclerosis in childhood-onset asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate arterial stiffness, distensibility, and strain of different peripheral arteries, the parameters of which can be used to detect atherosclerosis in asthmatic children.
Material/Methods:
We studied 22 pediatric patients with asthma and 18 healthy children. Fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels were evaluated to exclude children with diabetes and hyperlipidemia, which are risk factors for atherosclerosis. Renal, carotid, and brachial arteries diameters were measured. Using the measured data, stiffness, distensibility, and strain of the arteries of all children were calculated.
Results:
Pulse pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterols, and glucose levels of the obese individuals were similar to the controls. In carotid arteries there were no statistical differences regarding stiffness, distensibility, and strain. According to multiple ANCOVA analysis, distensibility and strain of right and left brachial arteries and right renal artery were higher, whereas right renal artery stiffness was lower in asthmatic children than in controls. Approximately one-fifth of the change in the left and right brachial arteries and right renal artery distensibility and strain and a small portion of the change in the right renal artery stiffness were associated with asthma. In contrast, left renal artery distensibility, strain, and stiffness were not associated with asthma.
Conclusions:
Peripheral arteries had higher distensibility and strain, and lower stiffness in asthmatic children than in controls.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.