A sex specific approach of ophthalmic and middle cerebral arteries Doppler in smokers

Maria Marta B M Paes,Angélica L D Diniz,Luísa Macedo Mendes Martins

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00503-3

Maria Marta B M Paes, Angélica L D Diniz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00503-3

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Abstract

Vascular dysfunctions can progress and lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, especially in smokers. The presence of particular vascular changes according to sex has been described and they can be identified by the Doppler method. This study evaluated Doppler velocimetry parameters of the Ophthalmic Artery (OA) and the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) according to sex in smokers regarding a non-smoker group. This cross-sectional observational study included 178 subjects: 93 women and 85 men. Doppler parameters were assessed in OA and MCA. Student’s t-test was used, with p < 0.05. There were no significant differences in OA and MCA Doppler velocimetry data between male non-smokers and smokers. However, female smokers presented several differences compared with non-smokers: lower pulsatility index (PI) and higher peak ratio in OA, and higher PI and resistance index and lower end diastolic velocity in MCA. There were different brain vascular waveforms in the group of female smokers compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking also led to opposite arterial patterns in OA and MCA in the female group, with signs of falling impedance in OA and increased impedance in MCA. An individualized approach regarding arterial changes according to sex is desirable.

Highlights

Vascular dysfunctions can progress and lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, especially in smokers
A drop in impedance was detected in the territory of the Ophthalmic Artery (OA) and an increase in impedance in the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) in the female smoker group (SG) compared with the control group (CG)
The findings were higher resistance index (RI) and lower end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the OA in chronic smokers compared with the control group, which is not in accordance with our study, where we identified lower RI and no significant difference in the EDV in the group of women, and no differences in men

Summary

Introduction

Vascular dysfunctions can progress and lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, especially in smokers. Women and men share most of the classic risk factors, there are factors that cause different and stronger impacts on women, such as smoking, diabetes, high triglycerides and low levels of HDL-cholesterol[5] Based on this situation, there is a need to study the cerebral vascular pattern with a focus on the findings according to sex. The vascular tree is composed of distinct segments where each blood vessel has a different calibre, and vascular walls have their own regional characteristics and blood flow velocity; these features mean that they have a particular waveform, or individual signature, when examined with Doppler ultrasound This method can evaluate arterial waveform and quantify its velocity and impedance changes in real time[6]. The aim of this study was to compare Doppler parameters of the OA and the MCA between smoking and non-smoking subjects, according to sex

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