高频超声对OSAS患者颈动脉结构和顺应性的研究

目的应用高频超声对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)患者颈动脉结构和顺应性变化进行研究,为OSAS的临床治疗效果提供依据。方法 40例OSAS患者(A组),均为男性,年龄21~55岁,平均年龄40.80岁;体质量指数(BMI)为(27.23±3.35)kg/m2。40例健康志愿者(B组),均无OSAS,均为男性,年龄22～57岁,平均年龄42.21岁;BMI为(25.71±2.31)kg/m2。用高频超声对A组患者和B组志愿者颈动脉进行二维超声检查,测量颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)、收缩期内径(Ds)、舒张期内径(Dd),并测量肱动脉收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)和脉压(PP),计算颈动脉紧张度(AS)、扩张性(AD)和僵硬度(ASt),评价颈动脉顺应性。结果 A组IMT、SBP、DBP较B组增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);PP、Ds、Dd两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组颈动脉AS、AD较B组减小,ASt较对照组增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论高频超声能够反映颈动脉结构和功能变化,可为临床评价OSAS治疗效果提供颈动脉顺应性变化的监测数据,具有临床应用价值。     

Intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness of carotid artery in Korean patients with Behçet's disease

Behçet''s disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis involving diverse sizes of arteries and veins. We performed this study to evaluate the vascular changes by assessment of the arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery in Korean patients with BD. Forty-one patients with BD and age-, and sex-matched 53 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Carotid arterial stiffness and IMT were assessed by using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Arterial stiffness parameters such as carotid arterial distensibility coefficient, stiffness index, and incremental elastic modulus (E_inc) were significantly increased in BD patients compared with those in healthy subjects, but not in IMT. Positive relationship was noted between age and IMT, whereas age of onset was significantly associated with arterial stiffness in BD. This finding suggests impaired endothelial function before visible structural changes of arterial wall in BD. Age and age of onset may be an independent risk factor for carotid IMT and arterial stiffness, respectively. Further studies in more large populations are required to confirm our results.     

超声射频评价2型糖尿病合并微量白蛋白尿患者股动脉弹性早期改变

目的 应用超声射频信号技术评价2型糖尿病(T2DM)合并微量白蛋白尿(MA)患者股动脉弹性功能早期改变及临床意义.方法 收集51例T2DM未合并MA患者(A组)和53例T2DM合并MA患者(B组).为观察受检者股动脉管壁早期弹性变化,二维超声剔除股动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)＞1.0 mm者.二维超声清晰显示股动脉后,实时启动内-中膜厚度定量分析(QIMT)及动脉僵硬度定量分析(QAS)系统,检测受检者IMT、内径(D)及弹性参数,包括管壁扩张系数(DC)、顺应系数(CC)、弹性系数(α、β)及脉搏波传导速度(PWV);分析两组间上述参数差异及相关性.同期获得A、B两组患者血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、血肌酐(CREA)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2 h PG)及体质量指数(BMI).结果 同组内男性与女性间及左、右两侧股动脉各弹性参数比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).B组CC、DC较A组降低,而α、β、PWV均高于A组,其差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).Pearson相关性分析结果表明,B组CC与α、β、PWV均呈负相关(r=-0.305、-0.312、-0.412,均P＜0.05);DC与α、β、PWV亦均呈负相关(r=-0.319、-0.324、-0.405,均P＜0.05).两组间股动脉D比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).B组TG、HbA1c、FPG、2hPG均高于A组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);而两组间TC、HDL-C、LDL-C、CREA、BMI、年龄差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).结论 动脉弹性功能减退早于形态学改变,T2DM合并MA时股动脉弹性功能已减退,应用超声射频分析技术对其临床早期诊疗具有一定意义.     

瞬时波强在判断颈动脉硬化早期的临床意义

目的研究瞬时波强（WI）在动脉硬化早期改变的特点、诊断意义及影响因素。方法分析颈总动脉的WI、动脉内中膜厚度（IMT）、动脉硬化指标、血生化指标等的相关关系。建立IMT增厚诊断的ROC曲线。根据瞬时波强等指标,建立IMT的多元回归方程。结果 IMT与W1、β、Ep、PWVβ显著相关（P〈0.01）。IMT增厚组的W1、β、Ep、PWVβ、PWV_WI较对照组显著升高（P〈0.01）。IMT增厚诊断的ROC曲线下面积W1、β、PWVβ分别为0.875、0.723、0.763;WI、IMT和动脉硬化指标与多种因素显著相关（P〈0.05）。IMT预测的回归方程为Y（IMT）=-0.246＋0.024＊W1＋0.297＊年龄＋0.010＊ApoB（P〈0.01）。结论 WI能敏感反映动脉硬化早期改变,能较好地诊断和预测动脉硬化,为进一步临床研究和诊断治疗提供参考。     

Evaluation of carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and its relation to clinical parameters in Japanese children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and its relation to clinical parameters in Japanese children. Fifty-two healthy children (39 boys and 13 girls), aged 6-14 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation study. IMT of the common carotid artery was determined using ultrasonography. We also investigated anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (BP), lifestyles and blood examinations. The mean value of IMT was 0.4 ± 0.1mm, which was lower than the normal value (1.0mm) in adults. IMT was positively correlated with age (r=0.340) and height (r=0.346) in boys, while it was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r=0.584) and diastolic BP (DBP) (r=0.563) in girls. In addition, IMT was associated with sleeping hours and hours of watching television (TV) by using stepwise regression analysis. In conclusion, IMT increased with aging, and it was linked to some clinical parameters of atherosclerosis and lifestyles in children. Therefore, this reference data will be helpful for future assessment of age-related change in Japanese children in clinical practice, and IMT might be a good predictor of atherosclerosis in Japanese children.     

Cardiovascular reactivity to psychological stress and carotid intima-media thickness in children

The relationship between cardiovascular stress reactivity and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has been established in adults, but not yet studied in children. Cardiovascular reactivity to an ad lib speech was measured in 20 boys and 20 girls age 11.0 ± 1.4 years. Measures included heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure reactivity, and mean common carotid artery IMT. Sequential regression analyses were used to establish the incremental increase in R ²     for the prediction of IMT due to cardiovascular reactivity independent of age, socioeconomic status, race, percentage body fat, and baseline BP or HR. SBP reactivity (β=0.002,     , p <.05), but not DBP reactivity ( p =.12) or HR reactivity ( p =.82), independently predicted carotid artery IMT. This study provides initial evidence that SBP reactivity is associated with IMT and perhaps the early pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in childhood.     

The relationship of autonomic functional disturbance and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the autonomic nerve disturbance and atherosclerotic changes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Aortic distensibility and max carotid intima-media thickness (Max IMT) were evaluated using brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography, respectively, in 135 patients (69 men, 66 women, 57 +/- 16 years) with type 2 diabetes. The autonomic neuropathy was evaluated using coefficient of variation of the RR interval (CV(R-R)) of electrocardiograms recorded at rest in a supine position. There was a significant negative correlation between CV(R-R)and Max IMT (r= -0.488, p< 0001). There were also significant negative correlations between CVR-(R a)nd the left and the right PWV(r=0.518, p<0.001; r=0.551, p<0.001, respectively). Patients with normal Max IMT, but decreased CVR-R, had a high PWV compared to patients with normal Max IMT and normal CVR-(R. )Therefore, decreased CVR-(R i)n type 2 diabetic patients may reflect atherosclerotic changes. Thus, the measurement of CVR-(R i)s a simple and quantitative test for assessing atherosclerotic as well as neuropathic complications in diabetic patients.     

Association of abdominal obesity with atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Total 530 patients with T2DM were included. To evaluate the severity of atherosclerosis, we measured the coronary artery calcification (CAC) score, intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery, and the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI). Subjects were classified according to body mass index (BMI), a marker of general obesity, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a marker of regional obesity. The insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was measured by the short insulin tolerance test. All subjects were classified into four groups, according to BMI: the under-weight group, the normal-weight (NW) group, the over-weight (OW) group, and the obese (OB) group. WHR and systolic blood pressure, triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDLC), free fatty acids (FFA), fibrinogen, and fasting c-peptide levels were significantly different between BMI groups. TG, HDL-C, FFA, fibrinogen and ISI were significantly different between patients with and without abdominal obesity. In the OW group as well as in the NW group, carotid IMT, ABPI and CAC score were significantly different between patients with and without abdominal obesity. This study indicates that abdominal obesity was associated with atherosclerosis in T2DM patients.     

2型糖尿病患者血尿酸与颈动脉内膜厚度的关系研究

目的 了解2型糖尿病患者血清尿酸与颈动脉内膜中层厚度及颈动脉粥样硬化相关危险因素的关系。方法 回顾性分析2010年1月~2016年12月我院收治的3570例2型糖尿病患者的临床资料,按彩色多普勒超声分为颈动脉斑块形成组（1888例,颈动脉内膜中层厚度≥1.5 mm或存在颈动脉斑块）、颈动脉中膜增厚组（332例,颈动脉内膜中层厚度≥1.0 mm）和正常组（1350例,颈动脉内膜中层厚度＜1.0 mm）。比较患者性别、年龄、病程、体重指数（BMI）、吸烟史、饮酒史、糖尿病家族史、高血压病史、血尿酸、空腹血甘油三酯、空腹血总胆固醇、血低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、血高密度脂蛋白（HDL）、空腹血糖、空腹C肽、糖化血红蛋白、双侧颈动脉内膜中层厚度等资料。结果 三组年龄、病程、脑梗死病史、收缩压、血尿酸、LDL、TG、TC、LDL、空腹血糖水平比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;正常组与颈动脉斑块形成组、正常组与颈动脉内膜增厚组年龄、病程、BMI、高血压病史、脑梗死病史、收缩压、血尿酸、LDL比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;在糖尿病家族史、冠心病史、足溃疡病史、TG、TC、空腹血糖方面,正常组与颈动脉斑块形成组或正常组与颈动脉内膜增厚组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;颈动脉内膜中层增厚组中血尿酸水平与颈动脉中膜厚度正相关（r=0.04,P=0.01）。结论 2型糖尿病患者的血清尿酸水平与颈动脉内膜中层厚度有关,控制2型糖尿病患者的血尿酸水平可以预防和减缓其心血管疾病的进展。     

Effect of whole body resistance training on arterial compliance in young men

The effect of resistance training on arterial stiffening is controversial. We tested the hypothesis that resistance training would not alter central arterial compliance. Young healthy men (age, 23 +/- 3.9 (mean +/- s.e.m.) years; n = 28,) were whole-body resistance trained five times a week for 12 weeks, using a rotating 3-day split-body routine. Resting brachial blood pressure (BP), carotid pulse pressure, carotid cross-sectional compliance (CSC), carotid initima-media thickness (IMT) and left ventricular dimensions were evaluated before beginning exercise (PRE), after 6 weeks of exercise (MID) and at the end of 12 weeks of exercise (POST). CSC was measured using the pressure-sonography method. Results indicate reductions in brachial (61.1 +/- 1.4 versus 57.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.01) and carotid pulse pressure (52.2 +/- 1.9 versus 46.8 +/- 2.0 mmHg; P < 0.01) PRE to POST. In contrast, carotid CSC, beta-stiffness index, IMT and cardiac dimensions were unchanged. In young men, central arterial compliance is unaltered with 12 weeks of resistance training and the mechanisms responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and reduced arterial compliance are either not inherent to all resistance-training programmes or may require a prolonged stimulus.     

The relation between hypoalbuminemia and compliance and intima-media thickness of carotid artery in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

The aim of this study was to identify the main factor affecting compliance and intima-media thickness of the elastic common carotid artery in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. Increased intima-media thickness and decreased arterial compliance are associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. This study included 20 patients and 20 age- and sex- matched healthy control subjects. The compliance and intima-media thickness of the right common carotid artery within 1 cm to the bifurcation were measured three times using high-resolution B-mode echocardiography. Blood samples were obtained to measure levels of hemoglobin, phosphorus, total calcium, total CO2, serum albumin, C-reactive protein, serum total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. We found that the compliance of common carotid artery was lower in the patient group than in the control group. In the patient group, the compliance of common carotid artery was positively correlated with serum albumin concentration, and intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was negatively correlated with serum albumin levels. Stepwise regression analysis showed that serum albumin concentration was independently related to the compliance of common carotid artery, suggesting hypoalbuminemia can independently give deleterious effects on the arterial wall in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.     

Influence of metabolic syndrome and its components on subclinical organ damage in hypertensive perimenopausal women

PurposeWe investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MS), its components and the presence of subclinical organ damage in hypertensive perimenopausal women.Patients/methods152 women with newly diagnosed, untreated arterial hypertension (mean age 51.0 ± 3.5 years) were included in the study. In all subjects anthropometrical measurements, 24-hr blood pressure monitoring, echocardiographic examination, and carotid ultrasound were performed. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured to obtain data on vascular compliance. As the index of early kidney damage both glomerular filtration rate was calculated and albumin/creatinine ratio in the urine sample was measured. A fasting blood sample was taken to measure glucose and lipid concentration.ResultsMS was found in 41% of patients. Patients with MS exhibited elevated left ventricular mass index (LVMI 84.7 vs. 78.8 g/m^2.7, p = 0.03), higher intima-media thickness (IMT 0.67 vs. 0.62 mm, p = 0.003), greater prevalence of LV hypertrophy (30% vs. 13%, p = 0.01), and carotid plaques (24% vs. 15%, p = 0.01). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that components of MS (systolic blood pressure and waist circumference) are stronger predictors of LVM than MS itself. The relationship between MS and LVMI lost its significance when BMI was included in the model, and remained significant for IMT.ConclusionIn hypertensive perimenopausal women components of MS are stronger predictors of subclinical organ damage than MS itself. Left ventricular mass and hypertrophy are more strongly correlated with increasing body weight than with the presence of MS. MS, independently of BMI, influences the level of subclinical atherosclerosis in the study group.     

Carotid Intima-media thickness in childhood and adolescent obesity relations to abdominal obesity,high triglyceride level and insulin resistance

Aim: To investigate risk factors which impact on common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT).Methods: A total of 86 obese children and adolescents and 22 healthy children and adolescents with normal weight were enrolled. Moreover, 23 of 86 obese children and adolescents were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The clinical, biochemical data and the IMT of the common carotid artery were measured in all subjects.Results: Obese and obese with MetS subjects demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.01) thicker intima media (0.69mm, 0.66mm) as compared to the control group (0.38mm), but there was no significant difference of IMT between obese and MetS group. IMT was correlated to body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and fatty liver. Waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, triglyceride and homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were independent determinants of mean IMT level.Conclusion: Obesity especially abdominal obesity, high TG and insulin resistance may be the main risk predictors of increased IMT.     

Duration of menopause and behavior of malondialdehyde, lipids, lipoproteins and carotid wall artery intima-media thickness.

AIM: our study assessed whether minor or major hormonal deficiency influenced oxidative status and vascular wall structure in menopausal women. METHODS: the study series was made up of 62 non hypertensive non diabetic menopausal women (mean age 52.3+/-4.7 years) divided into two groups depending on duration of menopause (group 1 duration 0-5 years; group 2 duration over 5 years). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and common carotid artery wall intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined in the entire series. RESULTS: mean TC, LDL-C, TG, MDA and IMT values were higher in group 2 than group 1. The intergroup difference between MDA (P<0.007) and IMT values (P<0.006) values was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: the study revealed a close temporal correlation between plasma oxidative stress and carotid wall IMT, jeopardizes vascular wall status as menopause proceeds.     

颈动脉彩色多普勒超声对老年高血压患者颈动脉病变情况诊断价值

目的探讨颈动脉彩色多普勒超声对老年高血压患者颈动脉病变情况诊断价值。方法抽取60例老年高血压患者与57例健康者分别设为病例组与对照组,均行颈动脉彩色多普勒超声,比较两组检查结果。结果病例组颈动脉狭窄率为88.3%,斑块形成率为80.00%,内膜中层厚度(IMT)、颈动脉内径(D)、阻力指数(RI)均较对照组高(P <0.05);病例组颈内动脉、颈总动脉最大剪切率(SR)以及收缩期峰值流速(PSV)均低于对照组(P <0.05)。结论颈动脉彩色多普勒超声对老年高血压患者颈动脉病变具有较高诊断价值,值得推广。     

A useful predictor of early atherosclerosis in obese children: serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein

Childhood obesity seems to contribute to the development of vascular inflammation and the progression of arterial wall changes. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has recently emerged as a useful biomarker for vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association of the serum hs-CRP level with ultrasonic findings of early atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), in obese children. Thirty eight obese children and 45 sex/age-matched healthy control children were recruited. Serum CRP levels were measured by the high-sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay, and we measured carotid IMT and brachial FMD using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels (1.40+/-0.74 mg/L vs. 0.55+/-0.49 mg/L, p<0.01), as well as increased IMT (0.52+/-0.09 mm vs. 0.41+/-0.07 mm, p<0.01) and impaired FMD (7.35+/-7.78% vs. 20.34+/-16.81%, p<0.01) compared to healthy controls. Serum hs-CRP correlated positively with IMT (r=0.413, p<0.05) and inversely with FMD (r=-0.350, p<0.05) in the obesity group. Measurement of the serum hs-CRP level is a simple, cheap, and highly reproducible assay and correlates with IMT and FMD in obese children. Thus, it would be a useful marker for evaluating and estimating the degree of atherosclerosis in children.     

Peripheral vascular stiffness,assessed with two-dimensional speckle tracking versus the degree of coronary artery calcification,evaluated by tomographic coronary artery calcification index

Introduction

Even in asymptomatic patients, the result of atherosclerosis progression is deterioration of the function and morphology of the artery wall. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking (2DST) is a sonographic technique that allows for precise evaluation of arterial wall compliance. Together with measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT), it can be applied for quick and non-invasive assessment of the progression of peripheral artery atherosclerosis.

Material and methods

Fifty-eight patients of mean age 61 years (SD 10.6) underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) and subsequent ultrasonographic evaluation of the left common carotid artery. The calcium score was calculated according to the Agatston method and compared with IMT, circumferential strain variables assessed by 2DST, conventional arterial stiffness parameters (β-stiffness index and elastic modulus) and clinical data. Intra-observer and inter-observer agreement was evaluated.

Results

Strain variables and IMT differed significantly in patients with calcium score (CS) > 0 and CS = 0. Moreover, they correlated with CS, systolic blood pressure and age of patients. Conventional stiffness parameters were not able to identify the group of patients with calcifications present in the coronary arteries. For the 2DST technique, interclass and intraclass agreements were 84.83% and 94.42% respectively.

Conclusions

Circumferential strain variables assessed by 2DST and measurement of IMT can be used for evaluation of peripheral artery deterioration in patients until the 6^th decade of life. These parameters reflect the development of calcifications in coronary arteries and, more importantly, can be used for a more detailed estimation of the atherosclerosis risk in patients with CS = 0.     

Behaviour of the carotid wall in menopausal women with and without arterial hypertension

OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted on the carotid vascular wall to evaluate its behaviour in postmenopausal women suffering from arterial hypertension compared to normotensive postmenopausal women. METHOD: Intima-media thickness(IMT) of carotid artery was determined by ecoduplex scanner in 182 postmenopausal women (age range 40-60 years) divided in four age classes (40-45, 46-50, 51-55, 55-60 years). Ninety-one women presented normal arterial blood pressure (SBP 136.6+/-11.7 and DBP 82.3+/-8.9 mmHg) and 91 were hypertensive (SBP 172.6+/-11.7 and DBP 97.4+/-6.6 mmHg). RESULTS: The normotensive women presented the following IMT values: 1.19+/-0.21 mm (40-45 years), 1.21+/-0.25 mm (46-50 years), 1.25+/-0.20 mm (51-55 years), 1.25+/-0.20 mm (55-60 years). IMT values in hypertensive women were: 1.75+/-0.25 mm (40-45 years), 1.77+/-0.30 mm (45-50 years), 1.91+/-0.28 mm (51-55 years), 2.02+/-0.33 mm (55-60 years). ANOVA test was performed in both groups of women and did not show any significant difference in the four age classes of normotensive women. On the other hand it revealed a statistical significance between 40-45 and 46-50-year-old hypertensive classes (P<0.001) and between 51-55 and 55-60-year-old hypertensive clases (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between age and IMT in the arterial hypertensives, especially in two older classes, and between the duration of menopause and IMT values. The results indicated that carotid wall thickening was constantly higher in hypertensive women compared with normotensive ones.     

Carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Aim of the study was to explore the correlation between the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the evolution of cognitive impairment in 66 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They underwent cognitive status evaluation and ultrasonography (US) to investigate carotid arteries intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque index (PI). After a 12-month follow-up period, neuropsychological and US examinations were repeated to assess the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and of cognitive decline [in terms of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores]. MMSE score changes were related to baseline IMT (p=0.018), changes in IMT (p<0.001) and PI (p=0.006), and "antihypertensive drug intake" (p<0.001). While the first three variables correlated with increased cognitive impairment, the last one was associated with a reduced extent of MMSE score decline. Results show a link between progression of carotid wall changes and of cognitive decline, and suggest a possible protective role of antihypertensive therapy. Given the potential clinical implications, our preliminary findings could stimulate further investigations into the role of vascular impairment in patients with AD.     

Hormone replacement therapy improves arterial stiffness in normotensive postmenopausal women

Objectives: Aortic stiffness, determined by the pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. PWV is mainly influenced by age-associated alterations of arterial wall structure and blood pressure (BP). To determine the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on arterial compliance in normotensive, postmenopausal women, we examined the effects of HRT on PWV. Methods: Fifty-six postmenopausal women aged 50–70 years were recruited into the present retrospective study from the patients visiting our menopause clinic. Twenty-seven women who were prescribed HRT (14 on estrogen alone and 13 on estrogen plus progestogen) for several months to 6 years and an age-matched group of 29 women not on HRT were studied (Study 1). Nine postmenopausal women were also studied before and at 4 weeks of the treatment of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) (Study 2). Brachial to ankle PWV (baPWV), which is correlated with aortic PWV, was determined using an automatic device, BP-203PRE. Results: In Study 1, PWV was significantly correlated with age in both groups (controls: r=0.392, P=0.035; HRT group: r=0.471, P=0.013), and HRT significantly lowered the PWV value at all ages examined (Mean±S.D. of baPWV in controls: 1382.2±114.1; HRT: 1245.3±124.8, P=0.0001). In Study 2, baPWV decreased significantly after ERT (P<0.05), without a significant change in systolic BP (P=0.851). Conclusions: Estrogen appears to improve arterial compliance independently of BP within 4 weeks.