Opioid users on buprenorphine/naloxone had significantly higher aortic distensibility (0.019 vs 0.015) and lower aortic stiffness (52.31 vs 64.66) compared to healthy controls.
Does buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy alter aortic elasticity and cardiac electrophysiological balance in intravenous opioid users compared to healthy controls?
Chronic buprenorphine/naloxone therapy in opioid users is associated with altered aortic elasticity, elevated blood pressure, and mild electrophysiological changes, supporting the use of non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring in this population.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Background: Opioid dependence treated with buprenorphine/naloxone is associated with increased cardiovascular risk; however, data regarding aortic elasticity and cardiac electrophysiological balance during long-term maintenance therapy remain limited. This study investigated aortic stiffness and distensibility in individuals receiving buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), and examined their associations with echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters, including the index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB and iCEBc). Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted, including 130 intravenous opioid users receiving Suboxone and 150 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, transthoracic echocardiography, resting 12-lead electrocardiography, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Results: Compared to controls, opioid users demonstrated significantly higher aortic distensibility (median 0.019 vs. 0.015, p 18 months), a moderate positive correlation was observed between therapy duration and iCEB values (r = 0.367, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Chronic buprenorphine/naloxone therapy appears to be associated with changes in aortic elasticity, blood pressure, and mild electrophysiological alterations. These results support the use of non-invasive vascular and electrocardiographic evaluations for cardiovascular risk monitoring and stratification among patients receiving opioid maintenance therapy.
Eyiol et al. (Tue,) reported a other. Opioid users on buprenorphine/naloxone had significantly higher aortic distensibility (0.019 vs 0.015) and lower aortic stiffness (52.31 vs 64.66) compared to healthy controls.