Correlation of carotid artery reactivity with cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery vasodilator responses in asymptomatic, healthy volunteers

Abstract

Objectives. Carotid artery reactivity (CAR%), involving carotid artery diameter responses to a cold pressor test, is a non-invasive measure of conduit artery function in humans. This study examined: 1. the impact of age and cardiovascular risk factors on the CAR% and 2. The relationship between CAR% and coronary artery vasodilator responses to the cold pressor test. Methods. Ultrasound was used to measure resting and peak carotid artery diameters during the cold pressor test, with CAR% being calculated as the relative change from baseline (%). We compared CAR% between young (n=50, 24±3 years) and older participants (n=44, 61±8 years), and subsequently assessed relationships between CAR% and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in 50 participants (44±21 years). Subsequently, we compared left anterior descending (LAD) artery velocity (using transthoracic Doppler) with carotid artery diameter (i.e. CAR%) during the cold pressor test (CPT, n=33, 37±17 years). Results. A significantly larger CAR% was found in young versus older healthy participants (4.1±3.7 versus 1.8±2.6, P<0.001). Participants without cardiovascular risk factors demonstrated a higher CAR% compared to those with ≥2 risk factors (2.9±2.9 versus 0.5±2.9, P=0.019). Carotid artery diameter and LAD velocity increased during CPT (P<0.001). Carotid diameter and change in velocity correlated with LAD velocity (r=0.486 and 0.402, P<0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusion. Older age and cardiovascular risk factors are related to lower CAR%, whilst CAR% shows good correlation with coronary artery responses to the CPT. Therefore, CAR% may represent a valuable technique to assess cardiovascular risk, whilst CAR% seems to reflect coronary artery vasodilator function.

Comparison of carotid atherosclerotic plaques between subjects in Northern and Southern China: a Chinese atherosclerosis risk evaluation study

“…This finding implies that there might be geographical variation in carotid artery size between patients in northern and southern China. The geographical variation in carotid artery size could be explained by the differences in the genetic diversity or environmental factors (such as temperature) 17 18. In the present study, we also found that after adjusting for height, the differences in absolute vessel dimensions between subjects in northern and southern China decreased, suggesting that this phenomenon might be derived at least in part from the differences in body size rather than atherosclerotic disease in the arterial wall.…”

Carotid Artery Function Is Restored in Subjects With Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk After a 12-Week Physical Activity Intervention

“…For example, sympathetic stimulation is known to cause dilation in both the coronary and carotid arteries in healthy individuals, whilst this deteriorates to vasoconstriction in those with coronary artery disease [2]. Moreover, the potential link between coronary and carotid artery health was recently reinforced by Van Mil and colleagues [3], who found moderate-to-strong correlation between carotid artery and coronary artery responses to sympathetic stimulation. Finally, one previous study found that 4-weeks of exercise training in patients with coronary atherosclerosis attenuated the coronary vasoconstrictive response to acetylcholine-infusion [8].…”

“…The peak diameter and CARAUC refers to a constriction or dilation. Between day coefficient of variation for CAR% has been reported as 2.8% [3].…”

“…i.e. placing one hand in ice slush), leads to coronary [1] and carotid artery [2,3] vasodilation. In marked contrast, participants with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease show an attenuated or even vasoconstrictive response [1].…”

“…In marked contrast, participants with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease show an attenuated or even vasoconstrictive response [1]. The vasoconstrictive response in central arteries may have clinical relevance, since independent prospective studies have found that both coronary and carotid [3] vasoconstriction independently predicts disease progression and cardiovascular events.…”