Why the study?
Does age affect peripheral vasomotor response to sympathetic activation as measured by pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound?
Does age affect peripheral vasomotor response to sympathetic activation as measured by pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound?
Older individuals exhibit reduced peripheral vasomotor reactivity to sympathetic stimuli compared to young adults, suggesting age-related changes in vasomotor response.
Age-associated blunting of PI response may reflect reduced vasomotor reactivity; leaves open impact on routine Doppler interpretation.
PURPOSE: To assess sympathetic vasomotor activity and its changes with age, using pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: We recruited 20 young adults (24-37 years old) and 20 older individuals (60-81 years old). Pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound was applied over the right radial artery to measure blood flow at rest and after a voluntary inspiratory cough eliciting sympathetic activation. The maximal (Vmax), minimal (Vmin), time-averaged (TAMaxV) blood flow velocity, and the pulsatility index (PI) were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: At rest, PI was similar in both groups but Vmax and TAMaxV were higher in the older group (p < 0.05). Vmax, Vmin, and TAMaxV decreased, and PI increased after inspiratory cough in both groups (p ≤ 0.001), but this increase was lower in the older group (p < 0.001). TAMaxV after coughing was higher in the older group (p < 0.05). Heart rate did not differ significantly within or between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The older group exhibited reduced vasomotor reactivity of the radial artery after sympathetic stimulus. Peripheral vasomotor response should be interpreted with caution in elderly populations.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chang et al. (2011) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: