Pulse wave velocity as a measure of arterial stiffness in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of this meta-analysis was to establish whether vascular pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a measure of arterial stiffness is changed in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).Material and methodsStudies comparing PWV between patients with FH and controls were searched in PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases (up to November 26, 2017). A meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 software. A random-effects model (using the DerSimonian-Laird method) and the generic inverse variance method were used to compensate for the heterogeneity of studies concerning demographic characteristics and differences in the studies’ design.ResultsThis meta-analysis of 8 studies involving 317 patients with FH and 244 non-FH individuals did not suggest a significantly altered PWV in FH patients versus controls (weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.17 m/s, 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.31, 0.65, p = 0.489; I2 = 80.15%). The result was robust in the sensitivity analysis and its significance was not influenced after omitting each of the included studies from the meta-analysis. Subanalysis of 6 of these studies which had data on intima-media thickness (IMT) indicated an increased IMT in FH patients when compared with controls (WMD = 0.03 mm, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.06, p = 0.034; I2 = 48.95%). However, the effect size was sensitive to some of the included studies.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that FH patients do not have significantly altered PWV when compared with normocholesterolemic individuals. However, a subanalysis of studies in which IMT was measured indicated that IMT is increased in FH patients compared with controls.

Associations between high triglycerides and arterial stiffness in a population-based sample: Kardiovize Brno 2030 study

“…LDL-c has not shown the independent statistically significant association with CAVI in the present analysis after adjustment for potential confounders (P = 0.102). These results are consistent with the meta-analysis of Željko et al [35], which included 8 studies, involving 317 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and 244 healthy controls, suggesting no difference between PWV between the groups (Weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.17 m/s, 95% CI: − 0.31, 0.65, P = 0.489; I 2 = 80.15%).…”

Associations between high triglycerides and arterial stiffness in a population-based sample: Results from the Kardiovize 2030 study

“…LDL-c has not shown the independent statistically signi cant association with CAVI in the present analysis after adjustment for potential confounders (P=0.102). These results are consistent with the meta-analysis of Željko et al [35], which included 8 studies, involving 317 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and 244 healthy controls, suggesting no difference between PWV between the groups (Weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.17 m/s, 95 % CI: -0.31, 0.65, P = 0.489; I² = 80.15%).…”

Arterial Stiffness Assessment in Children with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

“…In the presented study, the condition of the arterial wall was assessed by measuring the pulse wave velocity in the aorta in children with FH and healthy children of the same age. The study design differs from previous studies of PWV in the pediatric population presented in the literature [33][34][35][36] in distribution of participants into age subgroups. In our opinion, such an analysis of the PWV values increases the correctness and statistical significance of the obtained results.…”