Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

4.7K

Relation of arterial stiffness to left ventricular structure and function in healthy women

Jing Zhang1,2, Philip J Chowienczyk3, Tim D Spector4

  • 1Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.

Cardiovascular Ultrasound
|September 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness is linked to changes in left ventricular (LV) twisting in healthy women, even before dysfunction is apparent. This highlights the importance of assessing ventricular-arterial coupling in cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Clinical Cardiology

Background:

  • Ventricular-arterial coupling is crucial for cardiovascular function.
  • Existing research often overlooks the impact of isolated arterial stiffness on the left ventricle (LV).
  • This study focuses on healthy women with minimal cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and LV structure and function.
  • To assess these associations in a cohort of healthy women with a low burden of cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) was used to measure arterial stiffness.
  • Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography assessed LV structure and function.
  • The study included 147 healthy women from the Twins UK cohort.

Main Results:

  • Arterial stiffness (cf-PWV) correlated with LV geometry (relative wall thickness) and function (E/e' ratio, circumferential and radial strain, apical rotation, LV twist).
  • No significant association was found with global longitudinal strain.
  • After adjusting for covariates, cf-PWV remained significantly correlated with LV relative wall thickness, global circumferential strain, apical rotation, and LV twist.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated arterial stiffness is closely associated with increased LV twisting in healthy women.
  • These changes occur before the onset of clinically evident LV dysfunction.
  • Findings underscore the significance of ventricular-arterial coupling in maintaining cardiovascular health.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessLeft ventricular hypertrophyLeft ventricular twistSpeckle tracking echocardiography

More Related Videos

Echocardiographic Characterization of Left Ventricular Structure, Function, and Coronary Flow in Neonate Mice07:55

Echocardiographic Characterization of Left Ventricular Structure, Function, and Coronary Flow in Neonate Mice

Published on: April 7, 2022

3.7K
Assessment of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Mouse Model of Pulmonary Artery Constriction by Transthoracic Echocardiography10:33

Assessment of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Mouse Model of Pulmonary Artery Constriction by Transthoracic Echocardiography

Published on: February 3, 2014

28.6K

Related Concept Videos

Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
30.0K
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

3.3K
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function01:58

Fruit Development, Structure, and Function

Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.
25.3K
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
5.9K
Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

Structure and Function of Platelets

The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
3.6K
Structure and Function of Leukocytes01:21

Structure and Function of Leukocytes

An adult in good health typically has between 4,500 and 11,000 leukocytes, or white blood cells, per microliter of blood, which constitutes about 1% of the total blood volume. Unlike red blood cells, white blood cells contain a nucleus and other cellular organelles but do not have hemoglobin. Most white blood cells reside in connective tissues, particularly in lymphatic organs such as the lymph nodes, with only a small fraction present in circulating blood.
White blood cells protect the body...
4.4K