Mio Haiden

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on regional arterial stiffness: Assessment by tissue Doppler imaging

AIM To evaluate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on regional arterial stiffness assessed by strain rate using tissue Doppler imaging. METHODS Nineteen eligible patients were prospectively studied (mean age 62 ± 8 years, 68% men). Subjects with large vessel complications and/or diabetes mellitus were excluded. The strain rate of the ascending aorta was measured by tissue Doppler imaging as an index of regional arterial stiffness, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of degree of systemic arteriosclerosis. These indices were compared before and after administration of EPA at 1800 mg/d for one year. RESULTS The plasma concentration of EPA increased significantly after EPA administration (3.0% ± 1.1% to 8.5% ± 2.9%, P < 0.001). There were no significant changes in baPWV (1765 ± 335 cm/s to 1745 ± 374 cm/s), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (114 ± 29 mg/dL to 108 ± 28 mg/dL), or systolic blood pressure (131 ± 16 mmHg to 130 ± 13 mmHg) before and after EPA administration. In contrast, the strain rate was significantly increased by administration of EPA (19.2 ± 5.6 s(-1), 23.0 ± 6.6 s(-1), P < 0.05). CONCLUSION One year of administration of EPA resulted in an improvement in regional arterial stiffness which was independent of blood pressure or serum cholesterol levels.

New index of regional arterial stiffness assessed by tissue Doppler imaging.

Background — Although brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is a widely used index of arterial stiffness, there are several limitations of this method. The actual length of an artery used for measuring pulse wave velocity is estimated based on an anatomical correction value, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is directly affected by systemic blood pressure or vascular occlusion. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether aortic wall strain rate as measured by tissue Doppler imaging is a more useful modality for evaluating regional arterial stiffness than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Methods — Seventy-two patients (18 to 78 years) with normal cardiac function and without large vessel complications were enrolled in this study. Results — A significant positive correlation was found between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and age, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity increased with age (r = 0.64, P< 0.0001).A significant negative correlation was found between strain rate and age, and strain rate decreased with age (r = –0.44, P < 0.05). A significant correlation was also found between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.45, P < 0.02), but not between strain rate and systolic blood pressure. There was no significant difference in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity between hyperlipidaemic and normolipidaemic subjects. However, strain rate was lower in hyperlipidaemic than in normolipidaemic subjects (P < 0.05). Conclusion — Strain rate on the ascending aortic wall is a novel and more accurate index of regional arterial stiffness than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity.