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Journal of the American College of... Jun 2005We aimed to determine the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in healthy middle-age men.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to determine the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in healthy middle-age men.
BACKGROUND
Carotid IMT and brachial artery FMD are frequently used as surrogate measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Whereas carotid IMT identifies early structural abnormalities, brachial artery FMD, considered a bioassay of endothelial function, measures functional vascular integrity. The relationship between carotid IMT and brachial artery FMD has not been well studied.
METHODS
We measured traditional risk factors, carotid IMT, and brachial artery FMD in 1,578 middle-aged men without known cardiovascular disease and analyzed the relationship between carotid IMT and brachial FMD.
RESULTS
Carotid IMT correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, fasting glucose, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and with the overall Framingham risk score (p < 0.001 for all), whereas impaired brachial artery FMD correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01). No relationship was observed between carotid IMT and brachial artery FMD for the entire cohort (r = -0.006, p = 0.82) and in subgroups defined by traditional risk factors or by quintiles of carotid IMT and brachial FMD.
CONCLUSIONS
In middle-aged healthy men, there is no significant correlation between carotid IMT and brachial artery FMD. This finding suggests that these are unique, independent surrogates that measure different aspects and stages of early atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to define their role in clinical research and in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Topics: Adult; Brachial Artery; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotid Arteries; Cohort Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reference Values; Regional Blood Flow; Risk Factors; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media; Ultrasonography; Vasodilation
PubMed: 15963396
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2004.12.079 -
Physiological Reports Feb 2020In the present study, we hypothesized that habitual cigarette smoking attenuates endothelial function in the cerebral circulation as well as that of the peripheral...
In the present study, we hypothesized that habitual cigarette smoking attenuates endothelial function in the cerebral circulation as well as that of the peripheral circulation in young adults. To test this hypothesis, we measured cerebrovascular and peripheral flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in young smokers and nonsmokers in the present study. Ten healthy nonsmokers and 10 smokers participated in the study. We measured blood velocity and diameter in the brachial artery and internal carotid artery (ICA) using Doppler ultrasound. We identified shear-mediated dilation in the brachial artery and ICA by the percentage change in peak diameter during hyperemia stimulation (reactive hyperemia and hypercapnia). We measured the baseline diameter and the shear rate area under the curve from the onset of hyperemia to peak dilation in the brachial artery and ICA, finding the measurements of the smokers and those of the nonsmokers did not differ (p > .05). In contrast to brachial FMD (5.07 ± 1.79% vs. 7.92 ± 3.01%; smokers vs. nonsmokers, p = .019), FMD in the ICA was not attenuated in the smokers compared with that of the nonsmokers (5.46 ± 2.32% vs. 4.57 ± 2.70%; p = .442). These findings indicate that in young healthy smokers, cerebral endothelial function was preserved, and the response of cerebral endothelial function to smoking was different from that of peripheral vasculature.
Topics: Blood Flow Velocity; Brachial Artery; Carotid Artery, Internal; Female; Humans; Male; Tobacco Smoking; Vasodilation; Young Adult
PubMed: 32061192
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14369 -
Chest Dec 2012Endothelial dysfunction is associated with left ventricular morphology and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship...
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is associated with left ventricular morphology and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between both baseline brachial artery diameter and peripheral endothelial function (assessed by brachial artery ultrasonography) and right ventricular (RV) mass, RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), and RV ejection fraction (RVEF).
METHODS
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) performed cardiac MRI and brachial artery ultrasonography on participants without clinical cardiovascular disease. Baseline brachial artery diameter and flow-mediated dilation were assessed.
RESULTS
The mean age was 60.9 years, and 49.4% of subjects were men (n = 2,425). In adjusted models, larger brachial artery diameter was strongly associated with greater RV mass (β = 0.55 g, P < .001), larger RVEDV (β = 3.99 mL, P < .001), and decreased RVEF (β = -0.46%, P = .03). These relationships persisted after further adjustment for the respective left ventricular parameters. Flow-mediated dilation was not associated with RV mass or RVEF and was only weakly associated with RVEDV.
CONCLUSIONS
Brachial artery diameter is associated with greater RV mass and RVEDV, as well as lower RVEF. Changes in the systemic arterial circulation may have pathophysiologic links to pulmonary vascular dysfunction or abnormalities in RV perfusion.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian People; Atherosclerosis; Black People; Brachial Artery; Cohort Studies; Diastole; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Heart Ventricles; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Stroke Volume; Ultrasonography, Interventional; White People
PubMed: 22661452
DOI: 10.1378/chest.12-0028 -
PloS One 2013Elite endurance athletes typically have larger arteries contributing to greater skeletal muscle blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery and improved physical... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
UNLABELLED
Elite endurance athletes typically have larger arteries contributing to greater skeletal muscle blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery and improved physical performance. Few studies have examined structural and functional properties of arteries in power athletes.
PURPOSE
To compare the size and vasoreactivity of the brachial artery of elite power athletes to age-matched controls. It was hypothesized brachial artery diameters of athletes would be larger, have less vasodilation in response to cuff occlusion, but more constriction after a cold pressor test than age-matched controls.
METHODS
Eight elite power athletes (age = 23 ± 2 years) and ten controls (age = 22 ± 1 yrs) were studied. High-resolution ultrasonography was used to assess brachial artery diameters at rest and following 5 minutes of forearm occlusion (Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Dilation = BAFMD) and a cold pressor test (CPT). Basic fitness measures included a handgrip test and 3-minute step test.
RESULTS
Brachial arteries of athletes were larger (Athletes 5.39 ± 1.51 vs.
CONTROLS
3.73 ± 0.71 mm, p<0.05), had greater vasodilatory (BAFMD%: Athletes: 8.21 ± 1.78 vs.
CONTROLS
5.69 ± 1.56%) and constrictor (CPT %: Athletes: -2.95 ± 1.07 vs.
CONTROLS
-1.20 ± 0.48%) responses, compared to controls. Vascular operating range (VOR = Peak dilation+Peak Constriction) was also greater in athletes (VOR: Athletes: 0.55 ± 0.15 vs.
CONTROLS
0.25 ± 0.18 mm, p<0.05). Athletes had superior handgrip strength (Athletes: 55.92 ± 17.06 vs.
CONTROLS
36.77 ± 17.06 kg, p<0.05) but similar heart rate responses at peak (Athletes: 123 ± 16 vs.
CONTROLS
130 ± 25 bpm, p>0.05) and 1 minute recovery (Athletes: 88 ± 21 vs.
CONTROLS
98 ± 26 bpm, p>0.05) following the step test.
CONCLUSION
Elite power athletes have larger brachial arteries, and greater vasoreactivity (greater vasodilatory and constrictor responses) than age-matched controls, contributing to a significantly greater VOR. These data extend the existence of an 'athlete's artery' as previously shown for elite endurance athletes to elite power athletes, and presents a hypothetical explanation for the functional significance of the 'power athlete's artery'.
Topics: Adult; Brachial Artery; Case-Control Studies; Humans; Sports; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 23359214
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054718 -
Physiological Reports Jul 2019Regular Finnish sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and older adults. Potential acute physiological...
Regular Finnish sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and older adults. Potential acute physiological adaptations induced by sauna bathing that underlie this relationship remain to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine if typical Finnish sauna sessions acutely improve brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and reactive hyperemia (RH) in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Using a randomized crossover design, FMD and RH were evaluated in 21 healthy adults (66 ± 6 years, 10 men/11 women) before and after each of the following conditions: (1) 1 × 10 min of Finnish sauna bathing (80.2 ± 3.2°C, 23 ± 2% humidity); (2) 2 × 10 min of sauna bathing separated by 10 min of rest outside the sauna; (3) a time control period (10 min of seated rest outside the sauna). FMD was taken as the peak change from baseline in brachial artery diameter following 5 min of forearm ischemia, whereas RH was quantified as both peak and area-under-the-curve forearm vascular conductance postischemia. FMD was statistically similar pre to post 1 × 10 min (4.69 ± 2.46 to 5.41 ± 2.64%, P = 0.20) and 2 × 10 min of sauna bathing (4.16 ± 1.79 to 4.55 ± 2.14%, P = 0.58). Peak and area-under-the-curve forearm vascular conductance were also similar following both sauna interventions. These results suggest that typical Finnish sauna bathing sessions do not acutely improve brachial artery FMD and RH in healthy middle-aged and older adults.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Brachial Artery; Female; Humans; Hyperemia; Male; Middle Aged; Steam Bath; Vasodilation
PubMed: 31293098
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14166 -
American Journal of Physiology. Heart... Dec 2018The present study assessed whether tefillin use (tight, nonocclusive, wrapping of the arm) elicits a remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC)-like effect in subjects with...
The present study assessed whether tefillin use (tight, nonocclusive, wrapping of the arm) elicits a remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC)-like effect in subjects with both acute and chronic use. RIPC, created by short bursts of ischemia-reperfusion, has not been successfully taken to the bedside. Several large population studies have found that Orthodox Jewish men (who wear tefillin almost daily) have decreased cardiovascular mortality compared with non-Orthodox counterparts. We hypothesized that tefillin use is a relevant component in triggering a preconditioning effect. Jewish men ( n = 20) were enrolled; 9 men were daily tefillin users (conditioned) and 11 men were nonusers of tefillin as controls (naïve). Subjects were evaluated for adherence to traditional Jewish practice, had vital signs measured, blood drawn for analysis of circulating cytokines and monocyte function, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilation to evaluate vascular reactivity at baseline (basal) and after 30 min of using tefillin (acute treatment). Under basal conditions, both groups had similar peak systolic velocity (SV), diameter, and flow volume, although the conditioned group had higher SV at 120 s postdeflation ( P = 0.05). Acute tefillin use augmented artery diameter and flow volume in both groups, with conditioned subjects experiencing higher SV than control subjects at 90 and 120 s postdeflation ( P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). Conditioned subjects had decreased inflammation, monocyte migration and adhesion, and endothelial activation compared with control subjects at baseline. Acute use of tefillin did not significantly alter monocyte function in either group. In this pilot study, acute tefillin use improves vascular function, whereas chronic tefillin use is associated with an anti-inflammatory RIPC-like phenotype. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We hypothesized that tefillin use among Orthodox Jewish men (who practice a nonocclusive leather banding of their nondominant arm) will induce a remote ischemic preconditioning phenotype. Chronic use of tefillin in Orthodox Jewish men was associated with increased systolic velocity and attenuated inflammation and monocyte chemotaxis and adhesion versus Jewish men who do not wear tefillin. Acute use of tefillin in both populations augmented brachial artery diameter and blood flow but not inflammatory profiles compared with baseline.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arm; Brachial Artery; Case-Control Studies; Compression Bandages; Cytokines; Endothelium, Vascular; Hemodynamics; Humans; Ischemic Preconditioning; Judaism; Male
PubMed: 30216115
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00347.2018 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Jan 2006To review the available literature regarding patency rates and complications of the brachial-basilic arterio-venous fistula (BBAVF) and to discuss this with relation to... (Review)
Review
AIMS
To review the available literature regarding patency rates and complications of the brachial-basilic arterio-venous fistula (BBAVF) and to discuss this with relation to the current dialysis outcomes quality initiative guidelines.
METHODS
An internet based literature search was performed using Pubmed, Medline and Medscape databases to identify all published reports of the BBAVF in the English language from which the full articles were retrieved and cross-referenced.
RESULTS
Of 136 papers identified, 28 were directly relevant to this review including four prospective studies (one randomised trial, three non-randomised trials) and 24 retrospective studies. First described by Dagher in 1976, the BBAVF has since been modified to a two-stage procedure with initial fistula formation followed by superficialisation of the basilic vein 6 weeks later. It can be formed successfully in 95% of cases. Mean 1-year primary and secondary patency rates were 72 and 74.6%, respectively. Complications included haematoma (3.8%), stenosis (2.3%), thrombosis (9.7%), transient arm oedema (3.7%), steal syndrome (2.9%) and aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm formation (1.9%). The BBAVF had a lower rate of infection than prosthetic fistulas (3.6 vs. 16%).
CONCLUSIONS
The BBAVF has good primary and secondary patency rates with lower rates of infection than prosthetic fistulas making it a preferred secondary access procedure.
Topics: Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Axillary Vein; Brachial Artery; Humans; Renal Dialysis
PubMed: 16226899
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2005.08.008 -
IEEE Transactions on Bio-medical... Feb 2023Oscillogram modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and advancing popular oscillometric blood pressure (BP) measurement. A reduced oscillogram model relating cuff...
OBJECTIVE
Oscillogram modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and advancing popular oscillometric blood pressure (BP) measurement. A reduced oscillogram model relating cuff pressure oscillation amplitude ( ∆O) to external cuff pressure of the artery ( P) is: [Formula: see text], where g(P) is the arterial compliance versus transmural pressure ( P) curve, P and P are systolic and diastolic BP, and k is the reciprocal of the cuff compliance. The objective was to determine an optimal functional form for the arterial compliance curve.
METHODS
Eight prospective, three-parameter functions of the brachial artery compliance curve were compared. The study data included oscillometric arm cuff pressure waveforms and invasive brachial BP from 122 patients covering a 20-120 mmHg pulse pressure range. The oscillogram measurements were constructed from the cuff pressure waveforms. Reduced oscillogram models, inputted with measured systolic and diastolic BP and each parametric brachial artery compliance curve function, were optimally fitted to the oscillogram measurements in the least squares sense.
RESULTS
An exponential-linear function yielded as good or better model fits compared to the other functions, with errors of 7.9±0.3 and 5.1±0.2% for tail-trimmed and lower half-trimmed oscillogram measurements. Importantly, this function was also the most tractable mathematically.
CONCLUSION
A three-parameter exponential-linear function is an optimal form for the arterial compliance curve in the reduced oscillogram model and may thus serve as the standard function for this model henceforth.
SIGNIFICANCE
The complete, reduced oscillogram model determined herein can potentially improve oscillometric BP measurement accuracy while advancing foundational knowledge.
Topics: Humans; Blood Pressure; Prospective Studies; Blood Pressure Determination; Arterial Pressure; Brachial Artery
PubMed: 36006885
DOI: 10.1109/TBME.2022.3201433 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Mar 2022The anatomy of the radial artery draws great interests among anatomists for its frequent involvement in variations. Equally, these variations have gained significant...
BACKGROUND
The anatomy of the radial artery draws great interests among anatomists for its frequent involvement in variations. Equally, these variations have gained significant attention from clinicians because of the preference to use the radial artery for catheterization. The commonest of radial artery variations involve its site of origin. In published literature, data on this variations exist, but the prevalence of such variations in a Kenyan population has hitherto been unknown.
METHODS
Sixty-two upper limbs from 50 formalin-fixed cadavers were studied during dissection in the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi.
RESULTS
Fifty-four (87.1%) radial arteries arose within the cubital fossa, while eight (12.9%) had a high origin. Out of the eight high arteries, two (3.2%) branched off from the axillary artery, another two (3.2%) were branches of the proximal third of the brachial artery and four (6.5%) arose from the middle third of the brachial artery. The high origin radial arteries were more common on the right upper limbs (5 out of the 8 cases). Both axillary and brachial origins were seen bilaterally.
CONCLUSION
The present study details important variations in the anatomy of the radial artery in a Kenyan population. With the radial artery being utilized during clinical, surgical and radiological interventions so frequently, an increased understanding and anticipation of such topographic variances is paramount.
Topics: Axillary Artery; Brachial Artery; Cadaver; Humans; Kenya; Radial Artery
PubMed: 35693573
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i2.25 -
The Journal of Vascular Access Nov 2023We describe a technique to mature a basilic/brachial vein in the mid-arm in preparation for a second stage loop proximal brachial artery to basilic/brachial vein...
BACKGROUND
We describe a technique to mature a basilic/brachial vein in the mid-arm in preparation for a second stage loop proximal brachial artery to basilic/brachial vein arteriovenous graft (BBAVG). This can occur after a failed basilic/brachial vein transposition or a lack of adequate veins in the distal arm. This allows a mature vein to be used in an end-to-end configuration as an outflow to a BBAVG while preserving proximal vessels for the future.
METHODS
This single-center retrospective study was performed from 2015 to 2021, including 104 AVG patients divided into three groups: (1) Patients who failed a basilic vein transposition and had an enlarged vein suitable for an AVG outflow; (2) Patients who had a small caliber basilic/brachial vein after the transposition, requiring a mid-arm brachial artery to brachial/basilic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation with a subsequent AVG extension; (3) and lastly, patients who had no distal arm veins available and required a primary brachial artery to basilic/brachial AVF with AVG extension. A survival analysis was performed looking at time to loss of primary and secondary patency, calculated with Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression models adjusted for covariates.
RESULTS
The median follow-up time was 11 months (IQ = 11-30 months). The survival analysis showed 28% lost primary patency at a median time of 9 months, and 14% lost secondary patency at a median time of 61 months. Overall secondary patency of the vascular access measured at 12 months was 85.6%. Loss of primary ( = 0.008) and secondary patency ( = 0.017), as well as patency during the first 12 months ( = 0.036), were all significantly associated with increased age when adjusting for covariates.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the graft extension technique using a mature vein from a previous fistula can result in reliable and durable access. This is important for patients with limited access for hemodialysis, as the axillary vein is preserved for future use if needed.
Topics: Humans; Brachial Artery; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Retrospective Studies; Renal Dialysis; Vascular Patency; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35302422
DOI: 10.1177/11297298221080792