Subclinical association of aortic stiffness with cardiac structure and function in African-Americans: The Jackson Heart Study

Mawra Jha, Solomon Musani, Inbar McCarthy, W. Gregory Hundley, John Jeffrey Carr, James G. Terry, Adebamike Oshunbade, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Javed Butler, Michael Hall, Gary F. Mitchell, Ervin Fox, Connie W. Tsao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality are high among black adults. We aimed to study the granular subclinical relations of aortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in blacks, in whom limited data are available. In the Jackson Heart Study, 1050 U.S. community-dwelling black adults without CVD underwent 1.5 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance. We assessed regional and global aortic stiffness and LV structure and function, including LV mass indexed to body surface area (LVMI), end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), ejection fraction (EF), and global and regional circumferential strain (Ecc). Phase contrast images of the cross-sectional aorta at the pulmonary artery bifurcation and abdominal aorta bifurcation were acquired to measure pulse wave velocity of the aortic arch (AA-PWV) and thoracic aorta (T-PWV). Results of multivariable-adjusted analyses are presented as SD unit change in LV variables per SD change in PWV variables. Participants were 62% women with mean age of 59 ± 10 years. Higher AA-PWV and T-PWV were associated with greater LVMI: for T-PWV, β = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.03–0.16, p = 0.002. Higher AA-PWV and T-PWV were associated with worse (more positive) Ecc at the LV base (for AA-PWV, β = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.05–0.20, p = 0.0007), but not mid-LV or apex. AA-PWV and T-PWV were not associated with LV mass/LVEDV or EF. In this cross-sectional study of blacks without CVD in the U.S., aortic stiffness is associated with subclinical adverse LV function in basal segments. Future studies may elucidate the temporal relationships of aortic stiffness on the pattern and progression of LV remodeling, dysfunction, and associated prognosis in blacks. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1705-1712
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
Volume40
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aortic stiffness
  • Cardiovascular magnetic resonance
  • Left ventricle
  • Pulse wave velocity
  • Strain

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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