{
  "abstract": "Background/Objectives: Carotid plaque and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) capture distinct aspects of vascular disease. We examined their associations with left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in adults with ejection fraction ≥50%. Methods: This single-center retrospective cross-sectional secondary analysis used the 2018–2019 institutional cohort, comprising preserved-EF ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and reference control groups. The primary outcome was signed GLS, for which a higher (less negative) value indicates worse shortening. Multivariable linear regression simultaneously included plaque and PWV, adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and source group; HC3 robust confidence intervals were used. Results: Of 128 records, 127 had evaluable PWV and GLS. Mean age was 60.8 years; 51/127 (40.2%) were women, and 37/127 (29.1%) had recorded plaque. PWV correlated with GLS (Pearson r = 0.426; p < 0.001). Adjusted GLS was 0.618 percentage points less negative per 1 m/s higher PWV (95% CI 0.280–0.956; p < 0.001). Plaque presence had no clearly detectable independent association (β = −0.348, 95% CI −1.358 to 0.661; p = 0.499). Conclusions: Higher aortic PWV was associated with less favorable longitudinal function despite preserved ejection fraction. The plaque estimate was imprecise. Cross-sectional data cannot establish temporal order or causality, and the historical ICpFE label does not independently validate an HFpEF diagnosis.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania",
    "Department of Dental Prostheses Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 9 Revoluției 1989 Blv., 300041 Timișoara, Romania",
    "Doctoral School, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Gheorghe Stoichescu-Hogea"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ana-Maria Pah",
      "orcid": "0009-0006-6025-5998"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Cristina Movila",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-6585-0004"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Cristina Savencu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Cristina Ples",
      "orcid": "0009-0002-8968-7648"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Daniel Duda"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Simona Ruxanda Dragan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3892-0211"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/at09na07r8vvt.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/jcm15218746",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "at09na07r8vvt",
  "issns": [
    "2077-0383"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8746",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-09",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/at09na07r8vvt.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-10T00:21:41Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/jcm15218746",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8746"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:F27",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Carotid Plaque, Aortic Stiffness, and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Adults with Preserved Ejection Fraction",
  "title_text": "Carotid Plaque, Aortic Stiffness, and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Adults with Preserved Ejection Fraction",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-10T00:21:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/at09na07r8vvt",
  "venue": "Journal of Clinical Medicine",
  "versions": []
}