Common carotid shear stress was inversely associated with intima-media thickness (r=0.55, P<0.0001) independent of other hemodynamic, clinical, or biochemical factors in healthy men.
Cross-Sectional (n=58)
Do hemodynamic factors such as shear stress and circumferential wall tension correlate with common carotid intima-media thickness in healthy men?
Shear stress is independently and inversely associated with common carotid intima-media thickness in healthy men, highlighting the role of hemodynamic forces in early vascular changes.
Effect estimate: r=0.55
p-value: p=<0.0001
The localization of atherosclerotic lesions is influenced by hemodynamic factors, namely, shear stress and tensive forces. The present study investigated the relationships between shear stress and circumferential wall tension and between these hemodynamic factors and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in healthy men. Fifty-eight subjects were studied. Shear stress was calculated as blood viscosityxblood velocity/internal diameter. Circumferential wall tension was calculated as blood pressurexinternal radius. Blood velocity, internal diameter, and IMT were measured by high-resolution echo-Doppler. Mean shear stress was 12.6+/-3.3 dynes/cm(2) (mean+/-SD; range, 4.8 to 20.4) and was inversely related with age, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Mean circumferential wall tension was 3.4+/-0.6x10(4) dynes/cm (range 2.4 to 5.6) and was directly associated with age and BMI. IMT was inversely associated with shear stress (r=0.55, P<0. 0001) and directly associated with circumferential wall tension (r=0. 43, P<0.0001). Shear stress and circumferential wall tension were inversely correlated (r=0.66, P<0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, shear stress and (marginally) cholesterol were independently associated with IMT, whereas circumferential wall tension, age, and BMI were not. These findings confirm that common carotid shear stress varies among healthy individuals and decreases as age, blood pressure, and BMI increase. Our findings also demonstrate that circumferential wall tension is directly associated with wall thickness, age, and BMI and that shear stress is associated with common carotid IMT independent of other hemodynamic, clinical, or biochemical factors.
Carallo et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=58). Shear stress and circumferential wall tension was evaluated on Intima-media thickness (IMT) (r=0.55, p=<0.0001). Common carotid shear stress was inversely associated with intima-media thickness (r=0.55, P<0.0001) independent of other hemodynamic, clinical, or biochemical factors in healthy men.