Artery Research (Dec 2009)

8.1 CENTRAL ARTERIAL STIFFNESS OCCURS IN BRONCHIECTASIS

  • N.S. Gale,
  • J.M. Duckers,
  • M. Munnery,
  • S. Enright,
  • J.R. Cockcroft,
  • C.E. Bolton,
  • D.J. Shale

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.173
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 4

Abstract

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Rationale: Bronchiectasis is characterised by inflammation and airways injury, which lead to loss of airways function, factors which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in various populations. Central arterial stiffness (AS) a predictor of CVD risk has not been studied in bronchiectasis. We hypothesised that patients with bronchiectasis would have increased AS. Methods: We studied 20 clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis and 20 age, sex and smoking matched controls, without evidence of CVD. In all subjects we determined FEV1, aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), fasting lipids and systemic inflammation (IL-6). Results: Aortic PWV and IL-6 were greater in patients, than controls (p<0.05), while age, BMI, lipids and MAP were similar for patients and controls. In all subjects age was the only predictor of aortic PWV (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with bronchiectasis have increased AS, as determined by aortic PWV, which indicates an increased risk of CVD. Longer term studies are needed to determine the importance of this finding. Mean (SD) Control (n=20) Patient (n=20) Men n (%) 4 (20) 4 (20) Age (yrs) § 62 (43–69) 65 (42–80) Smoking Pack yrs § 0 (0–30) 0 (0–30) FEV1 (% predicted) 105.1 (9.1) 67.8 (25.8)** Heart rate (bpm) 65.4 (9.4) 73.0 (11.9)* MAP (mmHg) 100.1 (14.3) 103.2 (12.0) Aortic PWV (m/s) 8.8 (1.6) 10.5 (3)* AIx (%) 29.6 (8.8) 28.8 (8.7) IL-6 (pg/ml) † 1.19 (3.7) 4.41 (5.81)* *p<0.05; **p<0.001 difference. §median (range). †geometric mean (SD).