Stiffness of muscular and elastic type arteries in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis

Aim. To assess clinical and functional specifics of the persons depending on the predominance of vascular stiffness of elastic and/or muscle type arteries. Material and methods . In single-action study, totally 61 patient included at age 38-75 y. o. According to vascular stiffness of elastic and muscular arteries, they were selected to 2 groups. 1 group included 32 persons with mostly elastic arteries involvement, 2 group — 29 persons with muscular. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) by arteries of both types. Also ultrasound study was done of the carotid pool and lower extremities. Parameters of lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, antithrombid activity and von Willebrand factor were measured. Results. Values of PWV at carotid-radial distance were 13,1±3,37 m/s and 12,2±3,61 m/s in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0,355). Carotidfemoral PWV in group 1 was 16,3±9,41 m/s, in group 2 — 10,54±1,90 m/s (p=0,0001). Patients with predominance of elastic vessel remodelling had significantly higher hsCRP — 3,90±3,17 vs 1,98±1,67 (p=0,021). Atherosclerotic lesion of carotid arteries by Plaque Score was significantly higher among patients with predominance of elastic arteries lesion — 2,57±2,06 vs 1,07±1,61 (p=0,039). Also, patients with more leasions of elastic arteries had higher percent of lower extremities arteries stenoses at the level of femoral-popliteal segment — 43,3±30,6% vs 13,6±32,3% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0,019). Conclusion. Patients with decreased damping capacity of mostly elastic arteries had more significant atherosclerotic lesion of lower extremities arteries and of carotid arteries, and higher CRP. Decrease of aortic elasticity was associated with older age, lower glomerular filtration rate, higher total cholesterol and triglycerides.