Morbid obesity is associated with hypertrophic outward remodeling and increased stiffness of small conduit arteries: An ultra-high frequency ultrasound study

Background and aims: Although many studies have been published on the effect of obesity on large and small arteries, there are no data in the literature regarding the effect of obesity on medium-sized arteries, and in particular of small conduit arteries. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether patients with severe obesity presented structural or functional alterations in different arterial segments. Methods and results: 34 patients with severe obesity (BMI & GE;35 kg/m2) and 34 age-and sexmatched normal weight patients were recruited as controls. Aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and wave reflection (augmentation index) were recorded. Ultrasound images of common carotid, radial and interdigital arteries were acquired for the assessment of wall-to-lumen ratio, wall cross-sectional area (WCSA), compliance, distensibility coefficient (DC) and Young's elastic modulus (Einc). Insulin sensitivity was calculated by oral glucose sensitivity index (OGIS). No differences between groups in carotid artery remodeling were found, while WCSA of the radial and interdigital arteries were higher in obese group than in controls. As regard the parameters of vascular elasticity, the DC of radial and interdigital arteries were lower (p = 0.025 and p = 0.001, respectively), as well as the Einc of radial arteries was higher (p = 0.021), in subject with obesity compared to controls. All these correlations were consistent after adjustment for the main covariates. Finally, in a multiple regression analysis OGIS was and independent determinant of interdigital artery DC (R2 = 0.29, p = 0.001). Conclusions: For the first time, we describe an outward remodeling and increased stiffness in small conduit arteries in severe obesity. & COPY; 2022 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate whether patients with severe obesity showed structural or functional changes in different arterial segments. The results showed that patients in the severe obesity group had higher wall-to-lumen ratio and wall cross-sectional area in the radial and interdigital arteries, as well as decreased arterial elasticity. This study suggests that severe obesity is associated with outward remodeling and increased stiffness in small conduit arteries.