Key result
Spinal cord injury significantly attenuated popliteal artery flow-mediated vasodilation (5.6%) compared to healthy controls (8.4%) in diameter-matched vessels, though vascular responsiveness normalized to shear rate was increased.
Why the study?
To examine the effect of spinal cord injury and subsequent limb disuse on vascular function in diameter-matched vessels above and below the lesion compared with controls.
Does spinal cord injury and subsequent limb disuse alter vascular function in diameter-matched vessels above and below the lesion compared to healthy controls?
Cross-Sectional (n=20)
No
Does spinal cord injury and subsequent limb disuse alter vascular function in diameter-matched vessels above and below the lesion compared to healthy controls?
In diameter-matched vessels, spinal cord injury is associated with normal vascular function above the lesion and attenuated flow-mediated dilation below the lesion, though vascular responsiveness to shear rate is actually increased.
SCI-associated popliteal FMD attenuation suggests disuse impairs lower-limb endothelial function; hypothesis-generating for compensatory shear responsiveness.
This study examined the effect of a spinal cord injury (SCI) and subsequent limb disuse on vascular function, assessed by %FMD, in diameter-matched vessels above and below the lesion in subjects with SCI and controls. The results reveal normal vascular function above the lesion and vascular dysfunction below the lesion (%FMD). However, below the lesion there was, actually, evidence of increased vascular responsiveness (%FMD/shear rate) in this population.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Venturelli et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Spinal cord injury (n=20). Spinal cord injury vs. Healthy, nondisabled controls was evaluated on Popliteal artery flow-mediated vasodilation (%FMD) (p=<0.05). Spinal cord injury significantly attenuated popliteal artery flow-mediated vasodilation (5.6%) compared to healthy controls (8.4%) in diameter-matched vessels, though vascular responsiveness normalized to shear rate was increased.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:
More from Journal of Applied Physiology