Why the study?
Microvascular structural alterations and macrovessel mechanical changes are important predictors of prognosis in hypertension, but their interrelation and therapeutic implications require clarification.
Preliminary link between large-artery stiffness and small-resistance-artery remodeling is hypothesis-generating; leaves open causal direction and clinical relevance.
Macrovasculature and microvasculature are deeply interrelated, since microvascular structure is not only the site of vascular resistance but probably also the origin of most of the wave reflections generating increased central systolic blood pressure. In fact, preliminary data suggest that some index of large artery stiffness is related with the media to lumen ratio of subcutaneous small resistance arteries of hypertensive patients. Microvascular structural alterations and changes in the mechanical properties of the macrovessels represent potent predictors of prognosis. Hypertension-related damage to the micro- and macrovascular system may be corrected by pharmacological agents. Among them, beta-blocking agents and diuretics have a negligible effect on microvascular structure, while renin-angiotensin system antagonists and calcium entry blockers have favorable actions, improving large artery mechanics and possibly reducing central wave reflections.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rizzoni et al. (2009) conducted a review in Hypertension. Pharmacological agents (RAS antagonists, calcium entry blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics) was evaluated.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: