Hemispheric lateralization, endothelial function, and arterial compliance in chronic post-stroke individuals: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Purpose/Aim: Cardiovascular function is controlled and regulated by a functional brain-heart axis. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, several studies suggest a hemispheric asymmetry in the neural control of cardiovascular function. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether endothelial function and arterial compliance differ between individuals with left- and right-sided strokes.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional exploratory study. Thirty individuals more than 6 months after stroke participated in the study. The endothelial function was assessed by ultrasound-measured flow-mediated dilation of the nonparetic arm brachial artery (baFMD). The arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central aortic pulse wave analysis [augmentation index (AIx), augmentation index normalized to a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75) and reflection magnitude (RM)] using applanation tonometry. Results: Participants with right-sided stroke had worse endothelial function than those with left-sided stroke. This difference (baFMD = 2.51%) was significant (p = 0.037), and it represented a medium effect size (r = 0.38). Likewise, they had higher arterial stiffness than those with left-sided stroke. This difference (AIx = 10%; RM = 7%) was significant (p = 0.011; p = 0.012), and it represented a medium effect size (r = 0.48; r = 0.47).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that individuals with right-sided stroke have reduced endothelial function and arterial compliance compared to those with left-sided stroke. These data may indicate that those with right-sided strokes are more susceptible to cardiovascular events.