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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure
Published on: January 14, 2014
Skin autofluorescence is associated with inappropriate left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction in subjects at
Chun-Cheng Wang1,2,3, Yao-Chang Wang4, Guei-Jane Wang1,5,6
1Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
Insights
Skin autofluorescence, a measure of advanced glycation end products, is linked to left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. This non-invasive method can help detect these cardiovascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) deposition in the heart may lead to diastolic dysfunction.
- The relationship between AGEs, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and inappropriate left ventricular mass (LVM) is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between skin autofluorescence, a marker of AGEs, and cardiac structure and function.
- To determine if skin autofluorescence can predict LVH, inappropriate LVM, and diastolic dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- 139 subjects at cardiovascular risk were prospectively enrolled.
- Echocardiography measured left ventricular mass and function.
- Skin autofluorescence was measured using a dedicated reader.
Main Results:
- Higher skin autofluorescence correlated with increased left ventricular mass index and the observed/predicted LVM ratio (P < 0.01).
- Skin autofluorescence independently predicted LVH and inappropriate LVM after adjusting for confounders (P < 0.01).
- Elevated skin autofluorescence was associated with diastolic dysfunction (E/E' ratio, P = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Skin autofluorescence is a valuable, non-invasive tool for identifying left ventricular hypertrophy.
- It can also detect inappropriate left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction.
- This marker aids in assessing cardiovascular risk related to AGE accumulation.
Background:
Enhanced advanced glycation end products deposition within myocardial tissue may cause diastolic dysfunction. However, whether this is related to left ventricular hypertrophy or inappropriate left ventricular mass remains unclear.
Methods:
We prospectively enrolled 139 subjects at risk for cardiovascular diseases. We used echocardiography for measurements of left ventricular mass and cardiac systolic and diastolic functional parameters. An advanced glycation end product reader was applied for measurements of skin autofluorescence values. Comparisons of left ventricular mass and echocardiographic parameters between the higher and lower skin autofluorescence groups were analyzed.
Results:
Compared with the lower skin autofluorescence group, left ventricular mass index and the ratio of observed left ventricular mass/predicted left ventricular mass (oLVM/pLVM) was significantly higher in the higher skin autofluorescence group (61.22 ± 17.76 vs. 47.72 ± 11.62, P < 0.01, 1.62 ± 0.38 vs. 1.21 ± 0.21, P < 0.01). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, skin autofluorescence was an independent factor for left ventricular mass index (β = 0.32, P < 0.01) and the ratio of oLVM/pLVM (β = 0.41, P < 0.01). Skin autofluorescence ≥2.35 arbitrary unit predicted left ventricular hypertrophy at a sensitivity of 58.8%, and a specificity of 73.0% (P < 0.01). Skin autofluorescence ≥2.25 arbitrary unit predicted inappropriate left ventricular mass at a sensitivity of 71.1%, and a specificity of 83.9% (P < 0.01). Skin autofluorescence was positively correlated with E/E', an indicator for diastolic dysfunction (r = 0.21, P = 0.01).
Conclusions:
Skin autofluorescence is a useful tool for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy, inappropriate left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction.
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