Impaired Reactivity of Basilar and Circle of Willis Arteries in Osteoarthritis and Ischemic Heart Disease Patients

Regional brain perfusion is supplied by flow from subcortical conduit vessels, namely the anterior, middle and cerebral arteries, and the functionality of these vessels is largely characterized by vasoreactivity to physiological stimuli. Patients with cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease (IHD), are at greater risk for stroke, a risk determined in part by cerebrovasoreactivity tests (i.e., dilation or constriction). Patients …