Pulse Pressure Relation to Aortic and Left Ventricular Structure in Older People in the AGES-Reykjavik Study

• Published in: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979) Tex. 1979), 2014-07, Vol.64 (4), p.756-761
• Main Authors: Torjesen, Alyssa A, Sigurđsson, Sigurđur, Westenberg, Jos JM, Gotal, John D, Bell, Vanessa, Aspelund, Thor, Launer, Lenore J, de Roos, Albert, Gudnason, Vilmundur, Harris, Tamara B, Mitchell, Gary F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0194-911X; 1524-4563
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03870

High pulse pressure, a major cardiovascular risk factor, has been attributed to medial elastic fiber degeneration and aortic dilation, which transfers hemodynamic load to stiffer collagen. However, recent studies suggest higher pulse pressure is instead associated with smaller aortic diameter. Thus, we sought to elucidate relations of pulse pressure with aortic stiffness and aortic and cardiac dimensions. We used magnetic resonance imaging to examine relations of pulse pressure with lumen area and wall stiffness and thickness in the thoracic aorta and left ventricular structure in 526 participants (72 to 94 years of age, 295 women) in the community-based Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study. In a multivariable model that adjusted for age, sex, height, weight, and standard vascular risk factors, central pulse pressure had a negative relation with aortic lumen area (all effects expressed as mm Hg/SD; B=−8.1±1.2, P