Carotid Plaque, Aortic Stiffness, and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Adults with Preserved Ejection Fraction
- 1Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- 2Department of Dental Prostheses Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 9 Revoluției 1989 Blv., 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- 3Doctoral School, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
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.
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BibTeX
@article{stoichescuhogea2026carotid,
title = {{Carotid Plaque, Aortic Stiffness, and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Adults with Preserved Ejection Fraction}},
author = {Gheorghe Stoichescu-Hogea and Ana-Maria Pah and Cristina Movila and Cristina Savencu and Cristina Ples and Daniel Duda and Simona Ruxanda Dragan},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218746},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8746},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Carotid Plaque, Aortic Stiffness, and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Adults with Preserved Ejection Fraction
AU - Gheorghe Stoichescu-Hogea
AU - Ana-Maria Pah
AU - Cristina Movila
AU - Cristina Savencu
AU - Cristina Ples
AU - Daniel Duda
AU - Simona Ruxanda Dragan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/09
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218746
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8746
AB - 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.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -