OBJECTIVE: Arterial stiffness is a newly recognized risk factor for @entity64 . Whether this is mediated by small- or large-artery disease is unknown. In this study, we examined the relationship between arterial stiffness and @entity989 . METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study of 5,731 @entity1 (aged 45-84 years) who were free of clinical @entity65 (the Multi-Ethnic Study of @entity731 ). Retinal arteriolar and venular calibers were measured from @entity5995 photographs according to standardized protocols. Small- and large-artery compliance was determined from pulse contour analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, blood pressure, @entity6 , smoking, lipid profile, and other risk factors, reduced large-artery compliance was associated with smaller retinal arteriolar caliber; each standard deviation decrease in large-artery compliance was associated with a 0.70 microm (p = 0.002) decrease in retinal arteriolar caliber. After adjusting for the same set of risk factors, @entity7244 was associated with wider retinal venular caliber; each standard deviation decrease in small artery compliance was associated with a 1.43 microm (p = 0.001) increase in retinal venular caliber. These associations remained significant after further adjustments for large-vessel @entity731 (carotid intima-media thickness, coronary artery @entity460 , and ankle-arm index). INTERPRETATION: Reduced arterial wall compliance in large arterial beds is associated with retinal arteriolar narrowing, whereas reduced arterial wall compliance in small arterial beds is associated with retinal venular widening. These data may provide further insights into the effects of altered arterial stiffness on the cerebral microcirculation.

Arterial compliance and XXXX in cerebrovascular disease.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants'] @entity64 :: ('MESH:D020521', 'Disease') :: ['stroke'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['diabetes'] @entity7244 :: ('MESH:D020765', 'Disease') :: ['reduced small-artery compliance'] @entity5995 :: ('MESH:D012172', 'Chemical') :: ['retinal'] @entity989 :: ('MESH:D012164', 'Disease') :: ['retinal vascular caliber'] @entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerosis', 'Atherosclerosis'] @entity65 :: ('MESH:D002318', 'Disease') :: ['cardiovascular disease']
@entity989 :: (MESH:D012164,Disease) :: ['retinal vascular caliber']
