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Differences in carotid artery wall properties between presumed-healthy men and women
T Van Merode1, P J Hick, A P Hoeks
1Department of Physiology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Common carotid artery stiffness, measured by distensibility and compliance, is significantly lower in females than males. This indicates sex-dependent differences in arterial wall properties that impact cardiovascular health assessments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Vessel wall properties are crucial indicators of cardiovascular health.
- Noninvasive assessment of arterial mechanics provides valuable clinical insights.
- Understanding sex-based differences in arterial properties is essential for accurate health evaluations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To noninvasively assess and compare the distensibility and cross-sectional compliance of the common carotid artery in males and females.
- To investigate age-related changes in carotid artery wall properties.
- To determine if sex influences arterial stiffness independent of age.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a multi-gate pulsed Doppler system for on-line recording of velocity profiles and relative changes in carotid artery diameter (delta d/d).
- Calculated systolic internal diameter (d), distensibility coefficient, and cross-sectional compliance.
- Recruited 109 normotensive male and female volunteers aged 20-69 years.
Main Results:
- Common carotid artery distensibility and cross-sectional compliance were significantly lower in females compared to males, irrespective of age.
- Females exhibited a lower relative increase in carotid artery diameter during the cardiac cycle.
- No significant difference was found in carotid artery diameters or pulse pressure between sexes.
Conclusions:
- The common carotid artery demonstrates greater stiffness in females than in males of comparable age.
- Sex-dependent differences in arterial wall behavior must be considered when interpreting measurements of arterial distensibility and compliance.
- These findings highlight the importance of sex as a factor in vascular health assessments.
Abstract:
The vessel wall properties of the common carotid artery were noninvasively studied in 109 normotensive, presumed normal male and female volunteers of various ages (20-69 y) with the use of a multi-gate pulsed Doppler system. This system allows the on-line recording of velocity profiles and the relative changes in carotid artery diameter during the cardiac cycle (delta d/d). From the width of these profiles the systolic internal diameter (d) of the carotid artery can be determined. With the use of d, the maximal increase in delta d/d during systole and the pulse pressure, as measured in the brachial artery (delta p), the distensibility coefficient and the cross-sectional compliance were calculated. Both distensibility and cross-sectional compliance were significantly lower in females than in males, irrespective of age. This likely results from a stiffer arterial wall behavior in females, because the relative increase in vessel diameter during the cardiac cycle is lower in females than in males, despite the fact that their pulse pressure values are not significantly different. The carotid artery diameters were similar in men and women. The findings in the present study indicate that the common carotid artery is stiffer in females than in males of comparable age. Therefore, sex-dependent differences have to be considered in the interpretation of arterial distensibility and cross-sectional compliance.