1.6 Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity in Portuguese Children and Adolescents - Results from the Portuguese Vascular Phenotype in Children and Adolescents (PORT-VASPh) Cohort

Abstract

Introduction

The PORT-VASPh Cohort was designed to contribute to a better understanding of vascular function in children and adolescents, mostly focusing PWV and other complementary aspects of arterial hemodynamics.

Methods

The PORT-VASPh cohort is a prospective and observational study, with 953 children and adolescents enrolled, 40% females, age ranging from 5 to 17 years (mean age: 12.08 ± 2.92 years). The overall health profile for each participant was defined based on three clinical evaluations, in which blood pressure (BP) was measured under standard conditions over the brachial artery with a clinically validated automatic sphygmomanometer (OMRON 705IT) and an appropriately sized cuff. Gender-specific percentiles were used for the definition of the individual BP phenotype. Carotid-femoral PWV was measured to all participants at the third clinical evaluation, with the Complior SP device, complying with the methodological recommendations. All participants were evaluated by the same experienced clinician.

Results

Mean PWV was 6.20 ± 0.95 m/s and was higher in males compared with females (6.31 ± 0.97 m/s vs 6.02 ± 0.89, respectively; p < 0.0001). Gender-specific percentile tables, accounting for age, were obtained from the normotensive participants (n = 758), as depicted in Figure 1. The determinants of PWV were assessed through linear regression. In a multivariable model, age, gender, blood pressure and family history of cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with PWV.

Conclusion

In children and adolescents, aortic PWV is strongly influenced by age, gender, BP and genetics, in line with the available evidences in adult populations. Further studies are needed towards a thorough understanding of the arterial dynamics at these ages.