The Impact of COVID-19 on Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

COVID-19 is a complex multisystemic disease that can result in long-term complications and, in severe cases, death. This study investigated the effect of COVID-19 on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) as a measurement to evaluate its impact on arterial stiffness and might help predict COVID-19-related cardiovascular (CV) complications. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies, and meta-analysis was performed. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (nr. CRD42023434326). The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Nine studies reported cfPWV among COVID-19 patients and control groups. The pooled analysis showed that cfPWV in COVID-19 patients was 9.5 ± 3.7, compared to 8.2 ± 2.2 in control groups (MD = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.38-2.26; p = 0.006). A strong association between COVID-19 infection and increased cfPWV suggests a potential link between the virus and increased arterial stiffness. A marked increase in arterial stiffness, a known indicator of CV risk, clearly illustrates the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19 infection. However, further research is required to provide a clearer understanding of the connection between COVID-19 infection, arterial compliance, and subsequent CV events.

Characteristics and Determinants of Pulse Pressure-Age Relationship in Healthy and Non-treated Hypertensive Subjects of Argentinean Population

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the increases in pulse pressure (PP) and arterial stiffness determined by aging or systemic hypertension has been widely reported. These findings are supported by large-cohort analyzes conducted in well-known populations, such as Framingham Study. However, there is evidence that an age-PP curvilinear relationship may exist in hypertensive subjects. This study aimed to evaluate the age-related change in pulse pressure and arterial stiffness in a population-based study.

METHODS

Carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV) were obtained in 2075 subjects.

RESULTS

Age-related changes of PP showed a curvilinear relationship (R=0.39, p<0.0001) in normotensive subjects, with a nadir at around 50 years of age. On the other hand, the age-cfPWV relationship showed a linear and positive correlation (R=0.72, p<0.0001). PP also showed a curvilinear relationship with age (R=0.36, p<0.0001) in hypertensive subjects, with a nadir around 50 years of age. The age-cfPWV relationship showed a linear and positive correlation (R=0.55, p<0.0001). Similar results were observed in the adult population (age≥16 years). Multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, cfPWV, and mean arterial pressure are determinants of PP values in the entire population; however, this result was not uniform when different subgroups were analyzed.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, age-related changes in PP showed a curvilinear relationship and no parallelism with the age-cfPWV relationship for both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. The determinants of PP impact it differently depending on age and the pathological condition of the subject.

Arterial stiffness and white matter integrity in the elderly: A diffusion tensor and magnetization transfer imaging study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The stiffness of large arteries and increased pulsatility can have an impact on the brain white matter (WM) microstructure, however those mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between central artery stiffness, axonal and myelin integrity in 54 cognitively unimpaired elderly subjects (65-75 years old).

METHODS

The neuronal fiber integrity of brain WM was assessed using diffusion tensor metrics and magnetization transfer imaging as measures of axonal organization (Fractional anisotropy, Radial diffusivity) and state of myelination (Myelin volume fraction). Central artery stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Statistical analyses included 4 regions (the corpus callosum, the internal capsule, the corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus) which have been previously denoted as vulnerable to increased central artery stiffness.

RESULTS

cfPWV was significantly associated with fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons) but not with myelin volume fraction. Findings from this study also show that improved executive function performance correlates with Fractional anisotropy positively (p < 0.05 corrected) as well as with myelin volume fraction and radial diffusivity negatively (p < 0.05 corrected).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that arterial stiffness is associated with axon degeneration rather than demyelination. Controlling arterial stiffness may play a role in maintaining the health of WM axons in the aging brain.

[Analysis of Relationship Between Parameters of Arterial Stiffness and Lipid Profile in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome]

AIM

to elucidate relationships between parameters of arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV] and cardio-ankle vascular index [CAVI]) and standard lipid profile parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

MATERIALS

We included in this study 100 subjects (45 men, 55 women) aged 40-70 (mean 56.54±8.98) years with (n=42, group 1) or without (n=58, group 2) MS.

METHODS

Calculations of CAVI and cfPWV were fulfilled by computer sphygmography. In analysis we used threshold values recommended by manufacturers and European expert consensus document on arterial stiffness: for CAVI.

Association between arterial stiffness and risk of coronary artery disease

Objective: To investigate the role of Brachial ankle Pulse Wave Relocity (baPWV) and cfPWV on the risk of Coronary artery disease and the interaction between baPWV and risk factors of Coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Department of Emergency, SunYat-Sen memorial Hospital, China. We collected 332 cases with coronary artery disease and 328 subjects without CAD between February 2012 and October 2013. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors of CAD.

Results: CAD subjects were more likely to be old age, and have higher BMI, waist-hip ratio, hypertension, fasting glucose, TG, carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) and baPWV, and CAD subjects had a lower TC, HDL–C and LDL-C. We found that older age, smoking, higher hypertension, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, carotid-femoral PWV (CfPWV) and baPWV were associated with risk of CAD. baPWV had significant interaction with age, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C, carotid-femoral PWV (cfWV) was correlated with age, HDL-C and LDL-C.

Conclusion: This study showed that baPWV and cfPWV are two independent factors for the risk of Coronary artery disease, and baPWV and cfPWV have interaction with age, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C.