Cerebrovascular Damage Mediates Relations Between Aortic Stiffness and Memory.

Aortic stiffness is associated with cognitive decline. Here, we examined the association between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and cognitive function and investigated whether cerebrovascular remodeling and parenchymal small vessel disease damage mediate the relation. Analyses were based on 1820 (60% women) participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study.

Relations between aortic stiffness and left ventricular structure and function in older participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility--Reykjavik Study.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) contraction displaces the aortic annulus and produces a force that stretches the ascending aorta. We hypothesized that aortic stiffening increases this previously ignored component of LV load and may contribute to hypertrophy. Conversely, aortic stretch-related work represents stored energy that may facilitate early diastolic filling.

Longitudinal and circumferential strain of the proximal aorta.

Background: Accurate assessment of mechanical properties of the proximal aorta is a requisite first step for elucidating the pathophysiology of isolated systolic hypertension. During systole, substantial proximal aortic axial displacement produces longitudinal strain, which we hypothesize causes variable underestimation of ascending aortic circumferential strain compared to values in the longitudinally constrained descending aorta.

Methods And Results: To assess effects of longitudinal strain, we performed magnetic resonance imaging in 375 participants (72 to 94 years old, 204 women) in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study and measured aortic circumferential and longitudinal strain.

Mediation analysis of aortic stiffness and renal microvascular function.

Aortic stiffening, assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, is associated with CKD. Transmission of excessive flow pulsatility into the low-impedance renal microvasculature may mediate this association. However, direct analyses of macrovascular-microvascular relations in the kidney are limited.

Pulse pressure relation to aortic and left ventricular structure in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik Study.

High pulse pressure, a major cardiovascular risk factor, has been attributed to medial elastic fiber degeneration and aortic dilation, which transfers hemodynamic load to stiffer collagen. However, recent studies suggest higher pulse pressure is instead associated with smaller aortic diameter. Thus, we sought to elucidate relations of pulse pressure with aortic stiffness and aortic and cardiac dimensions.

Segmental kidney volumes measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and their association with CKD in older people.

Background: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a potentially powerful tool for analysis of kidney structure and function. The ability to measure functional and hypofunctional tissues could provide important information in groups at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as the elderly.

Study Design: Observational study with a cross-sectional design.

Forward and backward wave morphology and central pressure augmentation in men and women in the Framingham Heart Study.

Central pressure augmentation is associated with greater backward wave amplitude and shorter transit time and is higher in women for reasons only partially elucidated. Augmentation also is affected by left ventricular function and shapes of the forward and backward waves. The goal of this study was to examine the relative contributions of forward and backward wave morphology to central pressure augmentation in men and women.