[Correlation of large artery stiffness and coronary flow velocity reserve].
OBJECTIVE
Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is an important indicator of coronary endothelial functions and microcirculation. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects the degree of aortic sclerosis and it is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation of large artery stiffness and CFVR.


METHODS
A total of 101 consecutive subjects were enrolled to measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). According to the presence or absence of higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s), they were divided into 2 groups. Transthoracic echocardiography was employed to measure coronary flow velocity in coronary left anterior descending (LAD). Then after an intravenous infusion of adenosine triphosphate, the velocity of blood flow was measured when the vessel was in maximal dilation. The ratio of flow velocity of those in maximal dilation to those at rest was CFVR.


RESULTS
The subjects with a higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s) were markedly elder and had higher risks of hypertension and diabetes. Thus age, hypertension and diabetes contributed to arteriosclerosis. More importantly, the subjects with a higher baPWV (> 1400 cm/s) had a much lower level of CFVR (2.66 ± 0.74 vs 2.95 ± 0.76; P < 0.01) than those with a lower baPWV (< 1400 cm/s). Furthermore correlation analysis showed that CFVR and baPWV levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.35, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
A negative correlation exists between artery stiffness and coronary flow velocity reserve. The increased vascular stiffness may impair coronary endothelial function, cause the dysfunction of coronary microcirculation and raise the risks of cardiovascular events.
Department of Cardiology, Third Hospital Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Yan-ting
YT
Hao
Yong-zhen
YZ
Zhang
Jie-ming
JM
Mao
Li-yun
LY
He
Jie
J
Yu
Chen
C
Wang
Jie-li
JL
Feng
Jin-bo
JB
Liu
Xin-heng
XH
Feng
Tian-pei
TP
Hong
Guang
G
Wang
D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D059289:Vascular Stiffness