Evaluation of the Impact of Passive Smoke on Arterial Elasticity via Echo‐Tracking Technology in a Rabbit Model

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the elasticity of the abdominal aorta in passively smoking rabbits using echo‐tracking technology and pathologic examination. Methods Fifty‐four male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into a passive smoking group and a normal control group. The elasticity indicators for the abdominal aorta of the rabbits were measured by means of echo tracking, which was performed before and 1, 2, and 3 months after passive smoking. Measured indicators included the pressure‐strain elastic modulus, stiffness, arterial compliance, augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity. After the completion of the in vivo measurements, rabbits were euthanized randomly, and the corresponding arterial sites were resected for pathologic examination and in vitro measurement of vascular elasticity. Results The echo‐tracking technology used in our research proved that the elastic modulus, stiffness, and pulse wave velocity gradually increased with time by passive smoking, whereas arterial compliance decreased by passive smoking. Pathologic examination and in vitro measurements were performed and further confirmed the observed in vivo results. Conclusions Passive smoking can injure arteries and reduce arterial elasticity. Echo‐tracking technology is an accurate, noninvasive, and reliable method for analysis of the impact of passive smoking on arterial elasticity and detection arterial injury, which also can provide a new instructional basis for prevention and treatment of several arterial diseases.

Carotid arterial wall stiffness correlates positively with impedance of the umbilical and uterine arteries in women with preeclampsia

“…where Ds is the systolic diameter of the arterial lumen; Dd is the diastolic diameter of the arterial lumen; ΔP is the difference in arterial diameter as shown by the curve at the peak of the systolic pressure wave and at the notch resulting from the reflected pulse wave encountering the direct pulse wave; PP is the amplitude of the curve of the change in arterial diameter; ρ is blood density (1050 kg/m 3 ); and P is the local arterial pressure, as estimated by the Bramwell‐Hill equation, which relates P to the diameter (D) of the arterial lumen, Pd, and Dd as: ln (P/Pd) = β(D – Dd)/Dd.β represents the rigidity of the artery; Ep represents the elasticity of the artery; AC represents the compliance of the artery; AI represents the ratio of the change in arterial diameter caused by wave reflection to the amplitude of the curve of the change in arterial diameter; and PWVβ is the pulse wave velocity of the local artery. Ep and β are direct indices of regional arterial stiffness, and PWVβ and AI are indirect indices of arterial stiffness …”

“…Ep and β are direct indices of regional arterial stiffness, 23 and PWVβ and AI are indirect indices of arterial stiffness. 16 Duplicate measurements were obtained, and the mean value of each measurement was used for subsequent analysis. Carotid artery examinations of both groups were performed by the same investigator with extensive experience in vascular ultrasound.…”

“…Echotracking has been demonstrated to be a valid, reliable, and reproducible method for characterizing the properties of blood vessels. [14][15][16][17] In this study, we used echo-tracking to assess stiffness of the carotid artery.…”

“…The echo‐tracking variables that reflect arterial wall characteristics, that is, pulse wave velocity (PWVβ), augmentation index (AI), stiffness parameter (β), arterial compliance (AC), and pressure‐strain elastic modulus (Ep), are automatically calculated by the system. Echo‐tracking has been demonstrated to be a valid, reliable, and reproducible method for characterizing the properties of blood vessels . In this study, we used echo‐tracking to assess stiffness of the carotid artery.…”