P-273: Arterial stiffness and gradient of blood pressure at essential hypertension

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2001-04, Vol.14 (S1), p.120A-120A
• Main Author: Vitols, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: arterial pressure gradient; hypertension; pulse wave velocity
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0895-7061(01)01443-1

The two major causes of increased large artery stiffness are aging and high blood pressure. This study was designed to assess the modifications in large artery elastic properties and their hemodynamic resistance at essential hypertension (EH). The pulse wave velocity (PWV) was evaluated in the following distance: carotid-femoral artery, femoral-posterior tibial artery and carotid-radial artery by piezoelectric detectors. The gradient of arterial pressure (AP) was analyzed in the distance: brachial-finger artery and brachial-posterior tibial artery applying auscultatory method (using acoustic system), and, simultaneously, the gradient of systolic AP was evaluated according to volume oscillations. Data were analyzed in supine position, when intravascular pressure was modified by rising and lowering the extremity referring to the heart level, and when subjects was passively tilted up to 70° with and without unilateral thigh arterial occlusion for 5 min. Group of 78 patients with EH (38-57 yrs aged men) and 31 age and gender matched controls were studied. Antihypertensive treatment, if any, was interrupted 8 days before the examination. In EH pts mean AP gradient in the distance of brachial-finger artery was increased (14.1±1.4 vs. 8.7±1.7 mmHg; P