Many factors are considered to affect vascular physiology. It is known that one of the reasons for many diseases is a pathology at the microvascular level. Therefore, the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and many diseases is currently being investigated. The clinical evaluations of arterial stiffness have made it possible to perform necessary risk assessment regarding cardiovascular diseases. In this way, protective measures can be taken against microvascular pathologies in many organs. In this paper, we present a review of studies investigating the relationship between urological conditions and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a marker of arterial stiffness. As with erectile dysfunction, some studies have shown that conditions such as lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, and chronic kidney disease are also associated with an elevated CAVI. The association of erectile dysfunction and chronic kidney disease with vascular pathologies has been clearly demonstrated. In addition, lower urinary tract symptoms may be the first sign of silent vascular dysfunction. Assessing arterial stiffness with CAVI can help prevent future cardiovascular events in these patients.

Purpose To examine the parameters affecting the need for additional procedures in the primary ureteroscopy treatment in patients with ureteral stones above the iliac crest level. Methods Seventy-one patients were included in the study who were ≥ 18 years old and had undergone ureteroscopy (URS) for ureteral stones above the iliac crest level between 2018–2020 and had a non-contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography before the procedures were included in the study. Patients and stone characteristics were prospectively collected. The results were evaluated six weeks after URS. The absence of any residual fragment was thought to indicate stone-free status. The patients with failure were referred for the additional procedures. Results The median patient age was 51 years [interquartile range (IQR): 18–66]. The median transverse stone diameter was 9.5 mm (IQR: 7.1–11.4), and the median ureteral wall thickness (UWT) was 5.8 mm (IQR: 4.3–6.5). In the univariate analysis, UWT (p < 0.001), presence of multiple stones (p = 0.008), and stone length (p = 0.022) affected stone-free status. The multivariate analysis revealed UWT as the only independent factor affecting the need for additional procedures after URS (p = 0.028). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the best threshold value for UWT according to the outcomes was identified as 5.8 mm. Conclusion Ureteral wall thickness was the only independent parameter determining the need for additional procedures and affecting the treatment outcomes after the URS procedure.