Distensibility of the Aorta and Carotid Artery and Left Ventricular Mass From Childhood to Early Adulthood

Abstract

Abstract-In adults, arterial distensibility decreases with age and relates to changes in cardiac left ventricular mass.Longitudinal data on changes in arterial distensibility from childhood to adulthood are lacking. Our aim was to study the effect of age and sex, and low-saturated fat dietary counseling on arterial distensibility from childhood to early adulthood. In addition, we assessed the association of arterial distensibility with left ventricular mass. Distensibility of the abdominal aorta and common carotid artery was measured repeatedly at ages 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 years (n=395-472) in an atherosclerosis prevention trial (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project [STRIP]). Aortic and carotid distensibility decreased with age (both P<0.0001). In boys, distensibility values were generally lower (P<0.0001) and showed steeper decrease by age (age and sex interaction: both P<0.01). The low-saturated fat dietary counseling given in STRIP was not significantly associated with arterial distensibility. Left ventricular mass increased with age (P<0.0001), and it was greater in boys (P<0.0001). In conclusion, a marked age-related decrease in vascular distensibility was found already at this young age, and this decrease was more pronounced in boys than girls. The longitudinal progression of aortic and carotid distensibility was related with changes in left ventricular mass. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00223600.

Cardiometabolic Determinants of Carotid and Aortic Distensibility From Childhood to Early Adulthood

“…33 To compensate lack of central BP measurement, we previously determined cdist and adist using also estimated central pulse pressures. 7 When these distensibility measures were used, the results on the association of age and sex with distensibility remained similar to those when brachial BP was used, suggesting that the use of brachial data is applicable. 7 Furthermore, previous studies have shown an excellent correlation between invasively measured BPs from ascending aorta and noninvasively measured BPs from brachial artery, supporting the use of brachial artery pulse pressure to derive cdist and adist.…”

“…7 When these distensibility measures were used, the results on the association of age and sex with distensibility remained similar to those when brachial BP was used, suggesting that the use of brachial data is applicable. 7 Furthermore, previous studies have shown an excellent correlation between invasively measured BPs from ascending aorta and noninvasively measured BPs from brachial artery, supporting the use of brachial artery pulse pressure to derive cdist and adist. 42,43 We and others have reported that the correlations between repeated distensibility measures are relatively weak.…”

“…42,43 We and others have reported that the correlations between repeated distensibility measures are relatively weak. 7,44 This may be linked to physiological fluctuation in the constitutive factors, especially BP, instead of measurement error. Major strengths of the study are the large number of participants with longitudinally measured arterial distensibility in both carotid artery and aorta and the long follow-up period of the risk factors beginning early in life.…”

“…7 The STRIP dietary intervention focused on quality of fat was not associated with arterial distensibility at this early age. 7 We have also shown that childhood exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with decreased adist at age of 11 years 8 while higher cardiorespiratory fitness and ideal cardiovascular health score associate with increased arterial distensibility in adolescence. 9,10 However, to date, in healthy children, a comprehensive, longitudinal assessment of cardiometabolic determinants of arterial distensibility from childhood to adulthood is still lacking.…”

“…5,6 We have previously reported in the longitudinal STRIP (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project) studying healthy children that cdist and aortic distensibility (adist) decrease from childhood to early adulthood and that boys have markedly stiffer arteries than girls. 7 The STRIP dietary intervention focused on quality of fat was not associated with arterial distensibility at this early age. 7 We have also shown that childhood exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with decreased adist at age of 11 years 8 while higher cardiorespiratory fitness and ideal cardiovascular health score associate with increased arterial distensibility in adolescence.…”