Ultrasound assessment of tensile stress in carotid arteries of healthy human subjects with varying age

Abstract

BackgroundArterial remodeling is thought to reflect the adaptation of the vessel wall to mechanical and hemodynamic stimuli and contributes to the progression of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Tensile stress (TS) is one of the mechanical properties of the artery wall. The purpose of this study was to investigate the tensile stress change (TS) of carotid artery with varying viscoelasticity in healthy subjects within two groups of different ages.MethodsForty-five subjects were recruited and randomly assigned into the group at the age above 50 years and below 50 years. The carotid arteries were examined by ultrasonography, using the techniques of shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD) and radiofrequency (RF) -based ultrasound. The following values, including elastic modulus (SWER) and viscous index (SWDR), as well as the peak and mean TS of the left and right carotid arteries (L-PTS, R-PTS, L-MTS and R-MTS) were measured. The correlations between SWER, SWDR and tensile stress were evaluated.ResultsThe SWER and SWDR of carotid arteries are lower in the subjects ≥50 years old than the subjects younger than 50 years (SWER, 10.29 ± 9.57 kPa VS 17.24 ± 14.07 kPa; SWDR, 11.99 ± 3.51 (m/s)/kHz VS 13.97 ± 3.71 (m/s)/kHz, P < 0.05). The R-PTS was lower in the group with younger age (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that SWER of carotid artery was positively correlated with the parameters of tensile stress, R-PTS, R-MTS, L-PTS and L-MTS(r = 0.218, r = 0.359, r = 0.209 and r = 0.369, respectively, P < 0.05). However, SWDR of carotid arteries was not significantly associated with TS.ConclusionUltrasonic shear wave imaging could be used to quantitatively assess carotid viscoelasticity. The carotid TS was related to its elasticity while little related to its viscosity, suggesting that mechanical properties of the arterial wall might be better revealed.Trial registrationDate of our trial registration: 2018-06-11. Registered with the official website of China Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR1800016590)

Clinical significance and influencing factors of carotid pulse wave velocity in patients with diabetic microangiopathy

“…Mechanical stretching can cause structural alteration of the arterial wall, including hyperplasia and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscles, leading to arterial remodeling. Carotid tensile stress is related to its elasticity, 23 and Claudio et al 24 found that Carotid endothelial shear stress reduction is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis. In addition, in a previous study, 25 increased TG levels and decreased HDL‐C levels were related to arteriosclerosis.…”

Application and Progress of Ultrasound Technology in Atherosclerosis

“…The measurement results show that SWD of the elderly group is lower than that of the young group, while CIMT and PWV are higher than that of the young group, which proves that SWD imaging has the potential to evaluate arterial viscoelasticity. Luo [53] studied the tensile stress changes (TS) of the carotid artery in two groups of healthy subjects of different ages under different viscoelasticity. They found that TS of the arterial wall was significantly associated with arterial viscoelasticity.…”

Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Risk: The Role of Brachial Cuff-measured Index

“…The arterial tree within the human body spans from the aorta, which is about 3 cm in diameter, down to small precapillary arteries of about 50 micrometers in diameter. While arterial wall has a heterogeneous structure composed of complex materials, its intrinsic stiffness is determined mainly by the proportion, arrangement and mechanical properties of elastic fibers [3,4], which change during aging and are subjected to the influence of various factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lipidemia [5]. Increased arterial stiffness can appear prior to the development or manifestation of permanent vascular damage or cardiovascular disease.…”

“…Moreover, the relationship between age and arterial stiffness is better captured by a nonlinear model rather than the traditional linear model approach [39]. One plausible explanation is that arterial walls exhibit viscoelastic biomechanical properties and display nonlinear stress-strain relationships that change complicatedly with age [3]. Chen et al [40] reported a J-shaped relationship between API and age, with the J-shaped curve displaying a complex pattern of change across age groups.…”