Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.6K

Central Arterial Function Measured by Non-invasive Pulse Wave Analysis is Abnormal in Patients with Duchenne Muscular

Thomas D Ryan1, John J Parent2, Zhiqian Gao3

  • 1Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 2003, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA. thomas.ryan@cchmc.org.

Pediatric Cardiology
|June 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) show abnormal arterial wave reflection, indicating increased arterial stiffness despite lower central blood pressure. Further research is needed to understand these vascular function changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder impacting muscle function due to dystrophin mutation.
  • Cardiovascular complications, including dilated cardiomyopathy, are common in DMD patients.
  • Non-invasive vascular function assessment methods have not been extensively evaluated in DMD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate arterial wave reflection as a non-invasive marker of vascular function in patients with DMD.
  • To test the hypothesis that arterial wave reflection is abnormal in individuals with DMD.

Main Methods:

  • Pulse wave analysis was conducted using a SphygmoCor SCOR-PVx System.
  • Central blood pressure and augmentation index (AIx) were measured to assess arterial wave reflection.
  • DMD patients (n=43) were compared to a control group of healthy individuals (n=43).

Main Results:

  • Patients with DMD exhibited higher augmentation index (AIx-75 and AIx-not corrected) compared to controls.
  • Central systolic blood pressure was lower in the DMD group.
  • Multivariable regression identified DMD diagnosis, height, and heart rate as significant factors affecting AIx-not corrected.

Conclusions:

  • Despite lower central systolic blood pressure, DMD patients demonstrate increased arterial wave reflection, suggesting heightened arterial stiffness.
  • Ventricular systolic function appears unaffected in the short term, but long-term consequences require further investigation.
  • The observed vascular differences may be linked to systemic steroid use or the role of dystrophin in vascular health.

Keywords:
ArterialBlood pressureCardiovascularDuchenne muscular dystrophy

More Related Videos

Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy09:18

Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Published on: January 12, 2019

10.9K
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

16.9K

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
531
Pulse01:16

Pulse

When the heart pumps blood out, arterial elastic fibers play a crucial role in sustaining a high-pressure gradient. They expand to accommodate the received blood and then recoil - a process known as the pulse that can be either manually palpated or electronically quantified. Despite a reduction in its effect with increased distance from the heart, elements of the pulse's systolic and diastolic components persist, observable even at the arteriole level.
The pulse serves as a clinical...
2.4K
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation01:29

Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation

In a cardiovascular examination, inspection and palpation are crucial for identifying abnormalities.
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
1.0K
Pulse amplitude and quality01:17

Pulse amplitude and quality

Pulse amplitude is a crucial indicator of cardiac health because it provides valuable insights into the strength of left ventricular contractions and the overall uniformity of blood circulation within the vasculature. The strength of the pulse is directly related to the force with which the heart contracts and the volume of blood being pumped.
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...
3.4K
Special considerations while measuring pulse01:13

Special considerations while measuring pulse

Assessing a patient's pulse is a fundamental skill in healthcare, but certain situations require special attention:
1000
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
568