Abnormal structure and increased stiffness of the femoral arterial wall in young patients with sustained essential hypertension

Eiskjær H, Christensen T, Pedersen EB (Department of Medicine C and Department of Radiology R, Aarhus Kommunehospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark). Abnormal structure and increased stiffness of the femoral arterial wall in young patients with sustained essential hypertension. Thickness, elastic modulus, and stiffness of the common femoral arterial wall were estimated in 11 patients with essential hypertension and in 11 age‐matched normotensive control subjects by use of an in vivo , non‐invasive, ultrasound time‐motion display technique (M‐mode). Hypertensive patients had significantly higher levels than normotensive subjects with regard to arterial wall thickness (0.23 cm vs. 0.18 cm, medians: P < 0.01). elastic modulus (10.6 × 10 7 Pa vs. 6.18 × 10 7 Pa, medians; P < 0.05) and arterial wall stiffness (3.80 × 10 7 Pa vs. 2.07 ± 10 7 Pa, medians: P < 0.01). It is concluded that structural changes in the wall of the large arteries contribute to the increase in arterial wall stiffness in young patients with sustained essential hypertension.