Vascular damage reduces skeletal muscle mass in CVD

Advanced vascular damage appears to have a negative effect on skeletal muscle tissue, leading to lower skeletal muscle mass in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 310 CVD inpatients (mean age, 72±12 years; 131 women), in whom flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) ultrasound was performed for the assessment of early vascular damage. Bioelectrical phase angle (PA) was used as a marker of tissue damage and was measured alongside the skeletal muscle index (SMI).

Around a quarter (n=79) of the participants were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Arterial velocity pulse index (AVI), a marker of vascular stiffness, was significantly decreased in this group. FMD was likewise lower in sarcopenic patients, who also showed a narrower PA, suggesting tissue damage. No differences in arterial pressure volume index (API) were reported.

Multivariate regression analysis showed that AVI (β, –0.0956; p=0.0415) and PA (β, 0.1779; p<0.0001) were significantly predictive of SMI in CVD patients. FMD and comorbidities, such as diabetes and dyslipidaemia, were unrelated.

Other independent correlates included the male sex (β, 0.4541; p<0.0001), age (β, –0.2075; p<0.0001), and hypertension (β, 0.1381; p<0.0001).

“These findings suggest that advanced vascular damage, including arterial stiffening and increased peripheral resistance, rather than endothelial dysfunction, might play a role in skeletal muscle reduction, possibly through skeletal muscle damage in CVD patients,” said researchers.