Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion alterations associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

Our objective was to study relationships between the new biomarker of vascular health, carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Carotid ultrasound and assessment of MetS and its components were performed with 281 subjects aged 30-45 years. In the longitudinal motion analysis, the amplitude of motion and the antegrade-oriented and retrograde-oriented components of motion between the intima-media complex and adventitial layer of the common carotid artery wall were assessed.

Metabolic syndrome, according to the harmonized criteria, was detected in 53 subjects (19%). MetS was significantly associated with increased antegrade and decreased retrograde longitudinal motion in the carotid artery wall. Augmented antegrade amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with obesity (β = 0.149, p < .05) and low HDL cholesterol (β = 0.177, p < .01). Attenuated retrograde amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with hypertension (β = -0.156, p < .05), obesity (β = -0.138, p < .05) and hyperinsulinaemia (β = -0.158, p < .01). Moreover, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment index above 2.44) was associated with adverse changes in CALM.

Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were associated with alterations in CALM. In particular, hypertension, obesity and hyperinsulinaemia were associated with reduced total peak-to-peak amplitude as well as increased antegrade and reduced retrograde amplitudes, all of which might be markers of unfavourable vascular health.