10.04 Large and Small Artery Structure & Stiffness in Relation to Glycaemia and Blood Pressure in Pre-Menopausal Women

Abstract

Introduction

Diabetes and Hypertension affect large and small artery structure and function. We investigated the relationship between large artery structure (common carotid intima-medial thickness: cIMT), function (aortic pulse wave velocity-aPWV) and structure and stiffness index of small subcutaneous arteries in a group of pre-menopausal women who had undergone an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during pregnancy.

Patients and Methods

29 pre-menopausal women (age 36.2 years, 95% CI 35.1-37.2) underwent an OGTT and under standardised conditions, assessment of aPWV and biopsy of subcutaneous fat to assess the small arterial structure and function.

Results

cIMT was related to aPWV (r = 0.58, p = 0.001) and media cross-sectional area of small arteries (Mcxa, r = 0.43, p = 0.023); the latter correlated with small artery stiffness index (saSI, r = 0.34, p = 0.01). After adjustment for smoking, these independent parameters influenced vascular indices:

Table 1

Conclusion

In young women, even without overt diabetes or hypertension, large and small vessel structure & function but not stiffness are closely related. These vascular properties are modulated by degree of current glycaemia and other cardiovascular risk factors.