Key result
Higher aortic pulse wave velocity was associated with worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain (β = 0.618% per 1 m/s; 95% CI 0.280–0.956; p < 0.001), whereas carotid plaque was not.
Why the study?
Carotid plaque and aortic pulse wave velocity capture distinct aspects of vascular disease, motivating an examination of their associations with left ventricular global longitudinal strain in adults with ejection fraction ≥50%.
Cross-Sectional (n=127)
No
In adults with preserved ejection fraction, higher aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity) is independently associated with worse left ventricular longitudinal strain, whereas carotid plaque presence shows no clear independent association.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Associations between carotid plaque, PWV, and GLS in preserved EF are hypothesis-generating; prospective studies needed before clinical adoption.
Background/Objectives: Carotid plaque and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) capture distinct aspects of vascular disease. We examined their associations with left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in adults with ejection fraction ≥50%. Methods: This single-center retrospective cross-sectional secondary analysis used the 2018–2019 institutional cohort, comprising preserved-EF ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and reference control groups. The primary outcome was signed GLS, for which a higher (less negative) value indicates worse shortening. Multivariable linear regression simultaneously included plaque and PWV, adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and source group; HC3 robust confidence intervals were used. Results: Of 128 records, 127 had evaluable PWV and GLS. Mean age was 60.8 years; 51/127 (40.2%) were women, and 37/127 (29.1%) had recorded plaque. PWV correlated with GLS (Pearson r = 0.426; p < 0.001). Adjusted GLS was 0.618 percentage points less negative per 1 m/s higher PWV (95% CI 0.280–0.956; p < 0.001). Plaque presence had no clearly detectable independent association (β = −0.348, 95% CI −1.358 to 0.661; p = 0.499). Conclusions: Higher aortic PWV was associated with less favorable longitudinal function despite preserved ejection fraction. The plaque estimate was imprecise. Cross-sectional data cannot establish temporal order or causality, and the historical ICpFE label does not independently validate an HFpEF diagnosis.
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Stoichescu-Hogea et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Preserved ejection fraction (ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and reference controls) (n=127). Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid plaque vs. Reference control group / absence of plaque / lower PWV was evaluated on Signed left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) (β 0.618 percentage points per 1 m/s higher PWV, 95% CI 0.280-0.956, p=<0.001). Higher aortic pulse wave velocity was associated with worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain (β = 0.618% per 1 m/s; 95% CI 0.280–0.956; p < 0.001), whereas carotid plaque was not.
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