Systemic Arterial Stiffness in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Medicine
• Cardiology

Background:

• Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a neurovascular disorder with poorly understood pathophysiology, especially regarding systemic endothelial function.
• Arterial stiffness is a potential indicator of systemic vascular involvement in RCVS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate systemic endothelial dysfunction in RCVS patients by assessing arterial stiffness.
• To evaluate arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) in individuals with and without RCVS.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, age- and sex-matched, 1:1 case-control study was conducted.
• Patients with definite RCVS (ICHD-3 criteria) and matched controls underwent PWV measurement.
• Follow-up PWV assessments were performed in RCVS patients at 1 and 3 months post-onset.

Main Results:

• Sixty-two participants (70% female, mean age 49.8 years) were included; 29% of RCVS patients had acute hypertension.
• No significant difference in PWV was found between RCVS patients and controls during the acute stage (7.0 vs. 6.4 m/s).
• PWV showed transient changes at 1 month but returned to baseline by 3 months, with no statistically significant overall alterations.

Conclusions:

• Systemic arterial stiffness, assessed by PWV, is normal in RCVS patients.
• Arterial stiffness remains stable throughout the acute phase and recovery period of RCVS.