Arterial stiffness as a noninvasive tissue biomarker of cardiac target organ damage

Abstract

Abstract:The primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease is hindered by the inadequacy of traditional risk factors to stratify CV risk. The presence of cardiac target organ damage (cTOD), as detected by measures of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction, is associated with future CV outcomes, but is not currently assessed in asymptomatic individuals. Arterial stiffness contributes to cTOD and may represent a biomarker that can detect vascular dysfunction before the clinical manifestations of cTOD. Measurement of arterial stiffness may provide insight into premature risk for cTOD and afford opportunity for early intervention to prevent further damage. The purpose of this review is to examine the utility of arterial stiffness as a noninvasive biomarker of subclinical cTOD. To this end, we will examine the evidence supporting the association between arterial stiffness and measures of cTOD. We will then explore the developmental origins of arterial stiffness and cTOD and outline the progression of CV damage that occurs with age. We discuss the mechanistic role of pressure from wave reflections as a crucial link between arterial stiffness and cTOD. Finally, we examine these associations in context by exploring sex and racial differences in arterial stiffness as related to cTOD. Our comprehensive examination of the literature suggests that early identification of arterial stiffness would be a useful biomarker of future cTOD risk.

Association of thyroid hormones with blood pressure and arterial stiffness in the general population: The Dali study

“…3 In addition, currently, central hemodynamics may be reliably assessed noninvasively using a few devices. 4,5 As arterial stiffening and central hemodynamics are markers and manifestations of organ damage, 6 it is of interest to investigate the association between thyroid function and arterial stiffening and central hemodynamics.…”

Advances in mechanical biomarkers

“…[220][221][222] Furthermore, a number of CVDs has been linked to arterial stiffening like aortic aneurysm, atrial embolism and revascularization of peripheral arteries, stroke, hypertension, drug treatment, inflammation, and transient ischemic attack. [223][224][225][226][227][228][229] Being, the cardiovascular, a system with mechanical functions, the identification of mechanical biomarkers through nanotechnology is, therefore, a matter of intense research.…”

Urinary Peptidomics and Pulse Wave Velocity: The African-PREDICT Study

“…Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the gold standard measurement of arterial stiffness, and increased arterial stiffness, especially at younger ages, may reflect early vascular aging . Pulse wave velocity is a strong and independent predictor for increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and all-cause mortality, , even at young ages. , Increased arterial stiffness with aging may be accelerated by factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hemodynamic forces , and may reflect subclinical organ damage. , The molecular mechanisms underlying these preclinical changes are largely unexplored but remain important from a personalized medicine perspective. The use of omics-based biomarkers and, in particular, urinary proteomics may be useful in this regard since it provides more insight into the structure and function of a biological system than genomics. , …”

“… 3 , 5 Increased arterial stiffness with aging may be accelerated by factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hemodynamic forces 6 , 7 and may reflect subclinical organ damage. 8 , 9 The molecular mechanisms underlying these preclinical changes are largely unexplored but remain important from a personalized medicine perspective. The use of omics-based biomarkers and, in particular, urinary proteomics may be useful in this regard since it provides more insight into the structure and function of a biological system than genomics.…”