A relationship between lung function and arterial wall stiffness in patients with bronchial asthma

Abstract

Summary. The purpose of the study was to investigate relationship between parameters of lung function and arterial stiffness in patients with bronchial asthma during the follow-up at a pulmonary and allergological center of Krasnoyarsk. This was a prospective open study. Lung function was assessed using spirometry and body plethysmography at admission and in 48 weeks, arterial stiffness was evaluated with indirect arteriography at the same time points. Statistically significant positive relationship was found between expiratory bronchial resistance and main parameters of arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity in the aorta and augmentation index) and also between the ratio of expiratory and inspiratory bronchial resistances and augmentation index. Oxygen saturation inversely related to pulse wave velocity in the aorta; this fact, in our opinion, indicates an influence of hypoxia and bronchial obstruction caused by chronic persistent airway inflammation on increased stiffness of proximal arteries.