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Carotid Atherosclerosis is Associated with Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index
Author(s) -
Vigen Thea,
IhleHansen Håkon,
Lyngbakken Magnus N,
Berge Trygve,
Thommessen Bente,
IhleHansen Hege,
Orstad Eivind B,
Enger Steve,
Røsjø Helge,
Tveit Arnljot,
Rønning Ole Morten
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/jon.12684
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , middle cerebral artery , quartile , coronary artery disease , blood pressure , population , ultrasound , common carotid artery , pulse pressure , carotid arteries , radiology , confidence interval , environmental health , ischemia
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pulsatility index (PI) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is considered a measure of peripheral vascular resistance. Several established cardiovascular risk factors are common for both MCA PI and carotid atherosclerosis. Accordingly, in the present study we hypothesized an association between ultrasound‐derived indices of carotid atherosclerosis and MCA PI. METHODS All residents in Akershus County, born in 1950, were invited to a cardiovascular examination, The Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 Study (2012‐2015). A thorough ultrasound examination was performed to assess indices of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, and PI in the MCAs. In all, 3154 (85.1%) had adequate transcranial and carotid data. Associations between indices of carotid atherosclerosis and MCA PI were assessed by regression analyses adjusted for established cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS Mean age was 64 (standard deviation [SD]: .6) years, and 1,357 (43%) were women. Mean MCA PI was .97 (SD: .17). Participants in the upper quartile of MCA PI had higher pulse pressure, more frequently hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a history of coronary artery disease. Both carotid plaque score (B .007 [95% CI: .003‐.010]) and carotid intimamedia thickness (B .173 [95% CI: .120‐.226]) were significantly associated with MCA PI in adjusted analysis. The model R 2 was .055. CONCLUSION In a population‐based sample of middle‐aged adults, ultrasound‐derived indices of carotid atherosclerosis were independently associated with MCA PI. However, the overall explained variance of MCA PI was low, suggesting other factors than atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors to play an important role for MCA PI.