LAUSR

The vascular wall is a critical part of the cardiovascular system and undergoes constant remodeling. Most so-called cardiovascular events originate as a direct consequence of a wall injury. Given the various layers of the vascular wall, the numerous interactions between the different cell types (first and foremost being endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells), and the great diversity of wall types depending on the vascular bed, the study of the wall is complex but promising in developing an understanding of pathophysiology and in the development of targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases. The contribution of imaging to the study of the vascular wall in vivo is essential. Technological development enables constant progress in this field. In addition, understanding the mechanisms underlying arterial stiffness and improving assessment of this is central to cardiovascular research as well as clinical routine. Evaluation of central arterial stiffness all the way to the distal vessels through new imaging modalities is as challenging as it is insightful. This Research Topic aimed to collect original works in this field by gathering contributions from various fields of expertise in imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or optical imaging, and types of application (type of vessels and pathology explored). Svensson et al. assessed the case of Takayasu’s arteritis based on several parameters: an analysis of arterial stiffness through evaluation of the augmentation index, measured on the radial artery; and, more surprisingly, an evaluation of the consequences of the disease for microcirculation through measurement of the microcirculatory peak oxygen saturation in the skin after induced ischemia with laser Doppler flowmetry. Their work reflects the possibilities of assessment techniques that combine measurements related to the wall of the main elastic arteries with an assessment of microcirculation, which is still difficult to achieve through imaging. Weismann et al. also followed a multi-parameter approach to assess arterial fragility in Marfan’s disease. Although the rate of aortic dissection is particularly high in this condition, developing risk markers using imaging, beyond simple measurement of arterial diameter, is challenging. The authors identify markers of arterial stiffness (distensibility, augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity), markers of endothelial function according to the reactive hyperemia index, and biological markers. Although markers of arterial stiffness are associated with greater wall damage and aneurysmal growth, these markers are not OPEN ACCESS