Abstract 11198: Heritability of Vascular Structure and Function: A Parent-child Study

Abstract

Introduction: Vascular structure and function can be measured non-invasively in both children and adults. Understanding the heritability of these measures may aid in risk stratification and atherosclerosis prevention efforts. Data on the heritable contribution from parent to offspring for vascular measures are limited. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that measures of vascular structure and function would be modestly heritable in this large parent-child study. Methods: High-resolution ultrasound scans of the brachial and carotid arteries were obtained in parents (n=558; mean age=39.2±2.1) and their offspring (n=369; mean age 12.4±4.6). In the brachial artery, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and lumen diameter (bLD) were measured. In the carotid artery, intima-media thickness (cIMT), lumen diameter (cLD), incremental elastic modulus (cIEM), diameter distensibility (cDD), and cross-sectional distensibility were measured (cCSD). Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) was also obtained. Heritability analysis (h 2 , expressed as %) was performed using SOLAR on the entire cohort and adjusted for age, gender, race, body-mass index, smoking, and systolic blood pressure. Data are presented as mean (SE). Results: Measures of bLD (h 2 = 25.2(8.6), p<0.001), cLD (h 2 = 55.4(8.8), p<0.001), cIMT (h 2 = 28.1(12.6), p=0.014), cDD (h 2 = 28.2(7.1), p<0.001), cCSD (h 2 = 27.1(6.9), p<0.001), and PWV (h 2 = 26.3(8.9), p<0.001) were significantly heritable. Only FMD (h 2 = 1.6(8.4), p=0.44), and cIEM (h 2 = 12.7(9.3), p=0.081) were not significantly heritable. Conclusions: These data suggest that the majority of non-invasive measures of vascular structure and function are modestly heritable from parent to child. Early interventions targeted at youth with elevated vascular risk and/or a high familial cardiovascular risk profile may be able to modify vascular structure and function to prevent further dysfunction as these children transition into adulthood.