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Premature Aortic Stiffness in Relation to Cerebral Small-Vessel Disease, Cognitive Decline, Major Cardiovascular

Lin Shi1,2, Ke Zheng3,4, Yujun Qian5

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

American Journal of Nephrology
|June 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is linked to cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) and cognitive decline in dialysis patients. PWV also predicts cardiovascular disease and mortality, offering a valuable early biomarker.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) poses a significant health burden in dialysis patients.
  • Arterial stiffness, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is a known risk factor for CSVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between PWV and CSVD in dialysis patients.
  • To examine the impact of PWV on cognitive function, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of maintenance dialysis adults.
  • Assessment of CSVD features (cerebral microbleed, lacunae, white matter hyperintensity) and PWV.
  • Multivariate regression and Cox proportional hazards models for analysis over 10 years.

Main Results:

  • PWV was associated with lacunae and white matter hyperintensity.
  • Unadjusted associations were found between PWV and cognitive impairment (global function, verbal memory, executive function).
  • PWV independently predicted cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

Conclusions:

  • PWV is associated with CSVD and cognitive decline in dialysis patients.
  • PWV is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality, independent of age and sex.
  • PWV serves as a widely available, early predictive biomarker in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
All-cause mortalityCardiovascular diseaseCerebral small-vessel diseaseDialysisPulse-wave velocity

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