Reduced lung function has been identified as a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Studies by Wang et al. (12) and Silvestre et al. (13) have demonstrated a link between lower pulmonary function and an increased risk of stroke (12, 13). This association may be due to alterations in cardiac structure and compensatory mechanisms (1), pulmonary hypertension (3), inflammation, and oxidative stress (14). Additionally, changes in respiratory load and thoracic pressure can lead to significant cardiac stress. Respiratory distress caused by airway constriction can induce substantial hemodynamic changes and impact cardiac structure (1,3). Severe airflow obstruction reduces left ventricular size, leading to decreased stroke volume and cardiac output (15). These effects may result from impaired ventricular filling, which can occur even in the early stages of obstructive pulmonary diseases due to hyperinflation (16). Moreover, pulmonary hypertension can increase right atrial pressure, potentially allowing paradoxical emboli to pass through a patent foramen ovale, thus heightening the risk of stroke (17, 18).
In this study, we explored the relationship between lung function and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in cerebral stroke patients compared to non-stroke controls, all without chronic pulmonary disease. Our findings revealed that the risk of cerebral stroke was significantly higher in patients with elevated CIMT compared to those with normal CIMT (OR 6.86, CI 3.56–13.25). These results align with previous study (19), in which a significant increase in CIMT among patients with CT-confirmed ischemic stroke was recorded. Similarly, another study found that CIMT was elevated in patients with ischemic stroke (9). Our study also demonstrated an inverse relationship between lung function, as measured by FVC, FEV1/FVC, and MVV, and CIMT. In the same line with another report that impaired lung function, estimated by FVC (% pred.) and FEV1 (% pred.), was associated with elevated CIMT in a middle-aged population without chronic pulmonary disease (10). Additionally, Watanabe et al. (20) reported an inverse correlation between FEV1 and CIMT in both smokers and the general population.
We also observed an inverse relationship between PaO2 and CIMT, indicating that lower PaO2 levels were associated with increased CIMT. However, no significant correlations were found between CIMT and other arterial blood gas parameters, including pH, PaCO2, O2 saturation, and HCO3. The results of our stepwise multivariable regression model showed that CIMT was positively associated with age and FEV1, and inversely associated with FEV1/FVC, PaO2, FVC, and MVV in models 4, 5, and 6. That came in consistent with those reductions in FVC, FEV1/FVC%, MVV, and PaO2 were associated with elevated CIMT (20). The beforementioned study also found that stroke patients had lower FEV1/FVC% ratios compared to non-stroke patients. Takase et al. (21) similarly found that, after adjusting for passive smoking, lower FEV1 and FVC were linked to higher CIMT, an association that persisted even when the analysis was limited to never-smokers. Moreover, when participants were stratified by age, an inverse relationship between lung function and CIMT was confirmed in both middle-aged and elderly groups. Furthermore, a significant inverse association between the FEV1/FVC ratio z-scores and CIMT after adjusting for covariates (22).
Several studies have explored the relationship between CIMT and ischemic stroke severity (23–25). They found that elevated CIMT values, along with high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission, strongly predict both short-term functional impairment and mortality three months after acute ischemic stroke (23–25). Moreover, Gulsvik et al. (26) and Drakopanagiotakis et al. (27) established a link between lung function and fatal strokes. Given our findings of an inverse relationship between lung function and CIMT, further research is warranted to evaluate the association between abnormal pulmonary function tests and stroke severity and subtypes. These tests could be valuable in guiding early treatment strategies to improve post-stroke functional outcomes.
However, our study has some limitations. The non-stroke patients with lower respiratory function and PaO2 may require many years of follow-up to determine who develops cerebral stroke, which is necessary to confirm a specific relationship.
In conclusion, our study found that the risk of cerebral stroke was higher among patients with elevated CIMT compared to those with normal CIMT. Reduced FVC, FEV1/FVC, MVV, and PaO2 were associated with increased CIMT. These findings highlight the importance of lung function testing as a screening tool for identifying individuals at high risk for cerebral stroke, even in the absence of respiratory disease.