Arterial wall shear rate response to reactive hyperaemia is markedly different between young and older humans

Abstract

Key points The vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with advancing age, but it is unclear whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response. Using new technology that allows detailed WSR measurement, we assessed the WSR–FMD response in healthy older people. Our data show that older people have a markedly altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to young people, but reduced WSR alone does not fully explain reduced FMD. In young people, WSR appears to be coupled to FMD but, by age ∼65 years, the arterial vasodilatory response has begun to uncouple from the WSR stimulus. These findings point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function, as well as giving new insight into the age‐related alteration in vascular function. Abstract The vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with age, but it is unknown whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response to the WSR stimulus. Inherent difficulties in measuring blood flow velocity close to the arterial wall have prevented detailed assessment of the WSR–FMD response. Using an enhanced multigate spectral Doppler ultrasound system (ultrasound advanced open platform), we aimed to produce new data on the WSR–FMD relationship in healthy older adults. Sixty healthy people, comprising 28 young (27.5 ± 5.5 years) and 32 older (64.9 ± 3.7 years) individuals, underwent FMD assessment. Raw data were post‐processed using custom‐designed software to obtain WSR and diameter parameters. The data revealed that older people have a much altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to younger people [e.g. WSR peak: 622 (571–673) vs. 443 (396–491) 1/s in young and older respectively; P < 0.05]. However, reduced WSR alone does not appear to fully explain the reduced FMD response in older people because associations between WSR and FMD were few and weak. This was in contrast to young adults, where associations were strong. We conclude that WSR during FMD is much altered and diminished in older people, and there appears to be an ‘uncoupling’ of WSR from FMD in older people that may reflect a loss of precision in the reactive hyperaemia stimulus–response relationship. These findings also point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function.

Vascular Aging: Assessment and Intervention

“…47 FMD is largely attenuated in the elderly. [48][49][50][51] Studies have shown that the FMD of the elderly (age>70) is nearly 50% lower than that of the young (age<30). [48][49][50][51] Different from IMT or diameter discussed above, the age-related decrease of FMD is not linear.…”

“…[48][49][50][51] Studies have shown that the FMD of the elderly (age>70) is nearly 50% lower than that of the young (age<30). [48][49][50][51] Different from IMT or diameter discussed above, the age-related decrease of FMD is not linear. The decline in FMD is not much changed in the group with ages 24 to 39 years 15 but becomes pronounced in men above 40 years and women above 45 years of age.…”

Correlation between Microvascular Damage and Internal Organ Involvement in Scleroderma: Focus on Lung Damage and Endothelial Dysfunction

“…Remarkably, with aging, the vasodilator response to reactive hyperaemia decreases, but it is unclear whether this is due to a change in the stimulus wall shear rate (WSR) or an altered response of FMD. Aizawa et al demonstrated, using newer equipment that allows for the accurate assessment of WSR; elderly subjects exhibit a drastically altered and reduced WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared with younger subjects [103]. Investigations into the relationship between FMD and microvascular abnormalities in SSc have also been conducted.…”