Abstract
Background/aim Acute exacerbations and chronic inflammation are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute exacerbation therapy on arterial stiffness in children with CF.Materials and methods Augmentation index (Aix) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured before and after treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment in patients with acute exacerbation. The relationship between hemodynamic measurements and c-reactive protein (CRP) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) was investigated.Results Measurements before and after treatment were evaluated in 27 patients and were repeated in 21 patients who were clinically stable 1 month following acute exacerbation. There was a significant decrease in CRP and an increase in spirometry parameters after treatment. While no significant difference was found between PWV (P = 0.33), a significant difference for Aix before (41.95 ± 12.96%) and after (30.95 ± 11.47%) treatment and before treatment and stable clinical condition (34.19 ± 14.36%) was obtained (P =0.00, and P =0.01, respectively). No significant difference in heart rate and other hemodynamic measurements was found. Pretreatment Aix is associated with poor clinical condition (PFTs, BMI, and clinical score) and systemic inflammation (CRP) (P <0.05).Conclusion The decrease of arterial stiffness (Aix) with acute exacerbation treatment in children with CF has been demonstrated. This result shows that systemic inflammation in CF may cause an increase in arterial stiffness and recurrent exacerbations may increase the risk of CVD.
Highlights
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with systemic inflammation
Pretreatment Augmentation index (Aix) is associated with poor clinical condition (PFTs, Body mass index (BMI), and clinical score) and systemic inflammation (CRP) (P
The decrease of arterial stiffness (Aix) with acute exacerbation treatment in children with CF has been demonstrated. This result shows that systemic inflammation in CF may cause an increase in arterial stiffness and recurrent exacerbations may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with systemic inflammation. In a study by Hull et al [4], it was shown that the presence of systemic inflammation in CF patients may cause vascular changes (increased arterial stiffness) and CVDs may be seen more frequently with prolonged survival. Augmentation index (Aix) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) are frequently used methods to evaluate arterial stiffness in recent years. They provide an early assessment of changes in the structure and function of large arteries and predict cardiovascular events [5].
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