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Low Flow‐mediated constriction in Peri‐menopausal Women
Author(s) -
Kuczmarski Andrew,
Sebzda Kelly N,
Wenner Megan M
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.lb673
Subject(s) - medicine , cuff , brachial artery , peri , constriction , blood flow , cardiology , blood pressure , surgery
Impairments in vascular function are evident early in the menopausal transition, as previously demonstrated by a reduced brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) in peri‐menopausal women compared to premenopausal women. Recently, low flow mediated constriction (L‐FMC) has been used as a complementary measure of vascular health, and has been shown to be reduced with aging and in diseased populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that peri‐menopausal women have decreased L‐FMC compared to young women. We measured changes in brachial artery diameter via ultrasound in seven young (24±1 years, 23±1 kg/m 2 ) and five peri‐menopausal women (50±1 years, 24±1 kg/m 2 ). A blood pressure cuff was placed just distal to the olecranon process and inflated to suprasystolic pressure for five minutes. Images were recorded continuously at baseline (1‐minute), during a five minute occlusion, and for a remaining 2‐minutes after cuff deflation. FMD was calculated as a percent change from baseline to peak diameter after cuff deflation. L‐FMC was calculated from the last 30 seconds of cuff inflation using the lowest average value and was reported as percent change from baseline. Total vessel reactivity was calculated by adding the absolute value of FMD and L‐FMC. FMD values were comparable between peri‐menopausal (6.75±0.36%) and young women (7.88±0.33%). L‐FMC was similar between peri‐menopausal (−2.32±0.47%) and young women (−2.95±0.36%). Total vessel reactivity was also similar between young (10.82±0.56) and peri‐menopausal women (9.46±0.49). In conclusion, these preliminary data suggest that L‐FMC is preserved in peri‐menopausal women. Additional data are needed to further examine whether L‐FMC is altered across the menopausal transition or in postmenopausal women. Support or Funding Information Supported by NIH Grant P20 GM 103446, U54 GM 104941, and University of Delaware Research Foundation.