Age- and sex-related profiles for macro, macro/micro and microvascular reactivity indexes: Association between indexes and normative data from 2609 healthy subjects (3-85 years)

Abstract

Vascular reactivity (VR), defined as blood vessels’ capability to actively modify the diameter and flow resistances can be non-invasively assessed analyzing vascular response to forearm occlusion. Several VR indexes can be quantified: (i) ´microvascular´, which consider variables that depend almost exclusively on changes in distal resistances, (ii)´ macrovascular´, that evaluate the changes in brachial artery (BA) diameter, adjusting for blood flow stimulus, and (iii) ´macro/micro´, whose values depend on the micro and macrovascular response without discriminating each one´s contribution. VR indexes could not be associated. Many VR indexes have been used without availability of adequate normative data (reference intervals, RIs). Aims: (1) to evaluate macro, macro/micro and micro VR indexes obtained in a cohort of healthy children, adolescents and adults, (2) to evaluate the association between VR indexes, (3) to determine the need for age and/or sex-specific RIs, and (4) to define RIs for VR indexes. Methods: Ultrasound (B-mode/Doppler) and automatic computerized analysis were used to assess BA diameter, blood flow velocity and distal resistances, at rest and in conditions of decreased and increased blood flow. Macro, macro/micro and micro VR indexes were quantified (n = 3619). RIs-subgroups were defined according to European Reference Values for Arterial Measurements Collaboration Group (n = 1688, 3–84 years) and HUNT3-Fitness Study Group (n = 2609, 3–85 years) criteria. Mean value and standard deviation equations were obtained for VR indexes. The need for age or sex-specific RIs was analyzed. Percentile curves were defined and data were compared with those obtained in other populations. Conclusion: Macro and macro/micro VR indexes showed no association (or it was very weak) with microvascular indexes. Age- and sex-related profiles and RIs for macro, macro/micro and micro VR indexes were defined in a large population of healthy subjects (3–85 y). Equations for mean, standard deviation and percentiles values (year-to-year) were included in text and spreadsheet formats.

Central Pressure Waveform-Derived Indexes Obtained From Carotid and Radial Tonometry and Brachial Oscillometry in Healthy Subjects (2–84 Y): Age-, Height-, and Sex-Related Profiles and Analysis of Indexes Agreement

“…In this work, we considered data from 3619 subjects included in CUiiDARTE database. This contains data on demographic and anthropometric variables, exposure to CRFs, personal and family history of cardiovascular disease and data on hemodynamic, and on structural and functional vascular parameters ( Bia et al, 2011 ; Santana et al, 2012a , b ; Zócalo et al, 2020 ; Bia and Zócalo, 2021 ; Zócalo and Bia, 2021a , b ). In this work, the analysis was focused on PWA- and WSA-derived indexes.…”

Sex- and Age-Related Physiological Profiles for Brachial, Vertebral, Carotid, and Femoral Arteries Blood Flow Velocity Parameters During Growth and Aging (4–76 Years): Comparison With Clinical Cut-Off Levels

“…The work was carried out in the context of the Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE) project (Bia et al, 2011;Santana et al, 2012a,b;Zócalo et al, 2017;Bia and Zócalo, 2021;Zócalo and Bia, 2021), a population-based work developed in Uruguay. In this study, we considered data from 3,619 subjects included in the CUiiDARTE Database.…”

Center-To-Periphery Arterial Stiffness Gradient Is Attenuated and/or Reversed in Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension

“…This was a cross-sectional study involving non-pregnant and pregnant women from our CUiiDARTE Project database (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The CUiiDARTE Project is a population-based study developed in Uruguay, supported by the National Public Health Ministry and the Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII).…”

“…The CUiiDARTE Project is a population-based study developed in Uruguay, supported by the National Public Health Ministry and the Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII). Cardiovascular evaluation in the CUiiDARTE Project involves a stepwise protocol using several equipment and devices that measure central, peripheral, and systemic hemodynamic variables, and structural and functional local, regional, and global properties of elastic, muscular, and transitional arteries (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). All procedures and protocols were conducted in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki, approved by the Institution's Ethics Committee.…”

“…CCA diameters and IMT were measured a centimeter proximal to the bulb, while BA measurements were obtained at the elbow level in a straight segment of at least 1 cm (32). Carotid arteries were also screened for the presence of atheroma plaques (23,25,26,31). Local stiffness was quantified by EM (32):…”