A new paper on vascular dysfunction in MS---these researchers measured arterial only blood flow using plythesmography, a cuff on the arm. (Dr. Zamboni is now using this method on the neck to check venous blood flow.) They also measured carotid artery flow using doppler ultrasound.
Note: This isn't about heart rate or blood pressure. The researchers were measuring the amount of blood flowing thru the arteries.
The researchers found that pwMS had slower resting forearm blood flow than normals. PwMS have less arterial blood flow than normals, but their arteries looked the same as controls. They had the same intima media thickness, but the blood flow was less.
What might cause this?
The researchers did not look at venous return (too bad) so they conclude this difference must be due to reduced physical activity (PA)
But in CCSVI, less venous return of blood to the heart will create LESS BLOOD FLOW OUT from the heart.
We need more studies like this, comparing blood flow in pwMS and normals. Physical activity is only part of the equation.
Ranadive SM, Yan H, Weikert M, Lane AD, Linden MA, Baynard T, Motl RW, Fernhall B.
Source
From the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder of the brain and spinal cord. Disability status and progression are associated with reduced physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular function. Lack of adequate PA combined with inflammation may create high susceptibility to subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study was to compare subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial function between individuals with and without MS matched on age, sex and BMI.
METHODS:
33 individuals diagnosed with MS and 33 controls, underwent strain-gauge plythesmography for resting forearm blood flow (FBF) and peak reactive hyperemia (RHpeak) for the micro-vascular function. Intima media thickness (IMT) and arterial compliance (AC) were measured using carotid ultrasound for vascular function. C-reactive protein (CRP) and PA (7-day accelerometer data) were also measured.
RESULTS:
There was a significant difference in resting FBF, RHpeak, cPWV and AC between the MS and control group respectively. PA was associated with peak FBF and cPWV, but not FBF and carotid AC. Individuals with MS exhibit reduced arterial function but similar IMT compared to controls. Persons with MS had significantly reduced PA levels compared with controls, and physical activity accounted for differences in arterial function between groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results indicate that subclinical markers of atherosclerosis are higher in individuals with MS, suggesting a higher risk of CVD in this population. However, the higher levels of subclinical atherosclerosis was accounted for by the low PA in persons with MS, suggesting that increasing PA may reduce the increase in CVD risk in patients with MS.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21775908
