Arterial stiffness and functional capacity in individuals with chronic stroke: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and functional capacity in individuals with chronic stroke and compare the arterial stiffness between individuals with better and poor functional capacity.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

Individuals after chronic stroke have their arterial stiffness index evaluated by augmentation index heart rate adjusted for 75 bpm (AIx@75), assessed by Mobil-O-Graph® device (IEM, Stolberg, Germany), in percent, on the paretic upper limb. Functional capacity was assessed with the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) in metabolic equivalent (METS). The individuals were assigned into two groups: better (DASI ≥ 31.95) and poor (DASI < 31.95) functional capacity. Pearson’s correlation and t test were used for analysis.

Results

Twenty-eight individuals (arterial stiffness 23.8 ± 10% and functional capacity 29 ± 19 METS) were included. The association between arterial stiffness and functional capacity was negative and statistically significant, with moderate magnitude (r = −0.53, p < .001). Individuals who had better functional capacity have lower arterial stiffness indices (AIx@75 = 17.4% versus 27.4% in better and lower functional capacity, respectively) (p = .01).

Conclusion

Arterial stiffness of the paretic upper limb has a negative association with functional capacity.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke
• vascular stiffness
• pulse wave analysis
• functional capacity

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Programa de Iniciação Científica - Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais (PROBIC).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais and Programa de Iniciação Científica -Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais.