Key result
The amputated limb in single-leg amputees had a 24% smaller femoral artery diameter compared to the whole limb, which significantly correlated with reduced muscle mass.
Why the study?
Although muscle mass and physical activity play roles in vascular remodeling, the direct impact of muscle mass on vessel structure and function remains unclear.
Does muscle mass reduction affect arterial diameter and hemodynamics in single-leg amputees?
Cross-Sectional (n=9)
No
Does muscle mass reduction affect arterial diameter and hemodynamics in single-leg amputees?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.62% vs 0.8%
p-value: p=0.001
Muscle mass reduction is directly coupled with a dramatic decrease in arterial diameter, independent of physical activity level, without impacting hemodynamics or arterial stiffness.
Muscle atrophy may narrow femoral arteries in amputees without hemodynamic effects; leaves open causal mechanisms and clinical relevance.
Purpose Both muscle mass and physical activity are independent mechanisms that play a role in vascular remodeling, however, the direct impact of muscle mass on the structure and function of the vessels is not clear. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of muscle mass alteration on lower limbs arterial diameter, blood flow, shear rate and arterial stiffness. Methods Nine (33 ± 13 yrs) male individuals with a single-leg amputation were recruited. Vascular size (femoral artery diameter), hemodynamics (femoral artery blood flow and shear rate were measured at the level of the common femoral artery in both amputated (AL) and whole limbs (WL). Muscle mass of both limbs, including thigh for AL and thigh and leg for WL, was measured with a DXA system. Results AL muscle mass was reduced compared to the WL (3.2 ± 1.2 kg vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 kg; p = 0.001). Diameter of the femoral artery was reduced in the AL (0.5 ± 0.1 cm) in comparison to the WL (0.9 ± 0.2 cm, p = 0.001). However, femoral artery blood flow normalized for the muscle mass (AL = 81.5 ± 78.7ml min −1 kg −1 ,WL = 32.4 ± 18.3; p = 0.11), and blood shear rate (AL = 709.9 ± 371.4 s −1 , WL = 526,9 ± 295,6; p = 0.374) were non different between limbs. A correlation was found only between muscle mass and femoral artery diameter ( p = 0.003, R = 0.6561). Conclusion The results of this study revealed that the massive muscle mass reduction caused by a leg amputation, but independent from the level of physical activity, is coupled by a dramatic arterial diameter decrease. Interestingly, hemodynamics and arterial stiffness do not seem to be impacted by these structural changes.
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Pedrinolla et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Single-leg amputation (n=9). Amputated limb vs. Whole limb was evaluated on Femoral artery diameter (cm) (p=0.001). The amputated limb in single-leg amputees had a 24% smaller femoral artery diameter compared to the whole limb, which significantly correlated with reduced muscle mass.
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