Asthma is associated with atherosclerotic artery changes

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammation with a potential systemic impact. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory artery disease. The aim of our study was to prove if there is a correlation between the occurrence of asthma and increased atherosclerotic vessel disorders. Vessel status was compared between mild-to-moderate, severe allergic asthma and matched controls. Measurements of artery stiffness were calculated by central pulse wave velocity, ultrasonographic strain imaging and ankle-brachial index. Atherosclerotic plaque burden was assessed by colour-coded duplex sonography. Additionally, analysis of cardiovascular and asthma blood markers was conducted. Arterial stiffness expressed as an increased central pulse wave velocity and decreased circumferential and radial strains as well as the prevalence of media sclerosis were significantly higher among asthma patients compared to controls. Atherosclerotic plaque burden was relevantly increased in asthma groups vs. controls (severe asthma: 43.1%, mild-to-moderate asthma: 25.0%, control: 14.3% of study participants). Except for the elevated IgE and fibrinogen concentrations as well as leukocyte number there were no relevant differences in the blood parameters between the groups. Allergic asthma is associated with distinct atherosclerotic artery changes compared to the respectively matched control collective. The severity of asthma correlates with more pronounced pathological vessel alternations.

Airway microbiome composition correlates with lung function and arterial stiffness in an age-dependent manner

“…Our findings highlight the relative abundance of Fusobacteria phylum and its genus Leptotrichia in inverse association with arterial stiffness in older adults. The relevance of the Fusobacteria in lung respiratory disease has been noted, where they are associated with beneficial effects [56–58]. While associations between particular organisms and lung function occur mainly in the younger group, distinct organisms in the lung are linked to arterial stiffness in the elderly.…”

History of Asthma From Childhood and Arterial Stiffness in Asymptomatic Young Adults

“…11,35 Our results were in line with several previous cross-sectional studies performed in middle-aged adults, in which asthma and its severity were related to a higher risk of elevated arterial stiffness. 21,23 However, such associations were inconsistent in children and adolescents. 19,22 Our findings showing asthma associated with PWV indicate that a history of asthma from childhood may contribute to the acceleration of central arterial stiffness and subsequently increased CV risk.…”

“…17,18 However, there are limited data linking asthma with subclinical vessel changes and cardiac dysfunction, and the findings are inconsistent. 19–21 Several cross-sectional studies of both pediatric and adult populations have found a positive association between asthma and PWV. 19,21–23 To our knowledge, there have been no prospective studies assessing the relationship between a history of asthma from childhood and aortic PWV and its changes in young adults.…”

Modulation of Immune-Inflammatory Responses in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Emerging Molecular Targets

“…According to previous studies, high IgE concentration tends to promote coronary atherosclerosis and dilation [ 168 – 171 ]. Generally, it is always considered that IgE participates in artery inflammatory disease mainly through activating mast cells.…”