Comprehensive multi-modality assessment of regional and global arterial structure and function in adults born preterm

Preterm birth is associated with higher blood pressure, which could be because preterm birth alters early aortic elastin and collagen development to cause increased arterial stiffness. We measured central and conduit artery size and multiple indices of arterial stiffness to define the extent and severity of macrovascular changes in individuals born preterm. A total of 102 young adults born preterm and 102 controls who were born after an uncomplicated pregnancy underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance on a Siemens 1.5 T scanner to measure the aortic cross-sectional area in multiple locations. Ultrasound imaging with a Philips CX50 and linear array probe was used to measure carotid and brachial artery diameters. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and the augmentation index were measured by SphygmoCor, brachial-femoral pulse wave velocity by Vicorder and aortic pulse wave velocity by cardiovascular magnetic resonance. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was used as a measurement of global stiffness, and ultrasound was used to assess peripheral vessel distensibility. Adults born preterm had 20% smaller thoracic and abdominal aortic lumens (2.19±0.44 vs. 2.69±0.60 cm(2), P<0.001; 1.25±0.36 vs. 1.94±0.45 cm(2), P<0.001, respectively) but similar carotid and brachial diameters to adults born at term. Pulse wave velocity was increased (5.82±0.80 vs. 5.47±0.59 m s(−1), P<0.01, 9.06±1.25 vs. 8.33±1.28 m s(−1), P=0.01, 5.23±1.19 vs. 4.75±0.91 m s(−1), P<0.01) and carotid distensibility was decreased (4.75±1.31 vs. 5.60±1.48 mm Hg(−1)10(3), P<0.001) in this group compared with the group born at term. However, the global and peripheral arterial stiffness measured by CAVI and brachial ultrasound did not differ (5.95±0.72 vs. 5.98±0.60, P=0.80 and 1.07±0.48 vs. 1.19±0.54 mm Hg(−1)10(3), P=0.12, respectively). Adults who are born preterm have significant differences in their aortic structure from adults born at term, but they have relatively small differences in central arterial stiffness that may be partially explained by blood pressure variations.