Hypertension significantly reduced arterial distensibility compared to healthy controls (13.3 vs 19.1 x 10(-3)/kPa; P<0.01), while arterial compliance was altered only in extensive atherosclerosis.
Cross-Sectional (n=75)
Absolute Event Rate: 13.3% vs 19.1%
p-value: p=<0.01
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the different effects of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis on the visco-elastic properties of large arteries. DESIGN: Vessel wall properties were determined in patients who had been subjected for the first time to coronary arteriography. Normotensive patients with no coronary disease (n = 15), one-vessel disease (n = 15) or two- or three-vessel disease (n = 15), 15 treated hypertensive patients (mean +/- SEM duration of hypertension 9.6 +/- 1.7 years) with no coronary disease and normocholesterolaemia and 15 healthy controls were matched for blood pressure, age and sex. METHODS: Arterial distension of the common carotid artery was determined by using a multigate Doppler system. The blood pressure curve was recorded by finger plethysmography. RESULTS: The end-diastolic diameter was significantly higher in the hypertensives (P<0.05) but not significantly different in the normotensives compared with the controls. Arterial distensibility was significantly lower in the hypertensive group (13.3 +/- 0.8) x 10(-3)/kPa than in the controls (19.1 +/- 1.5) x 10(-3)/kP; P<0.01), in the group with no coronary disease [(18.8 +/- 1.3) x 10(-3)/kPa; P<0.01 and in those with one-vessel disease (17.7 +/- 1.4) x 10(-3)/kPa; P<0.05. Arterial distensibility was not significantly lower in the hypertensives than in the group with two- or three-vessel disease [(15.0 +/- 1.0) x 10(-3)/kPa; NS). No significant correlation was found between cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) levels and arterial distensibility in the normotensive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is the predominant factor affecting the visco-elastic properties of large arteries. Arterial compliance is significantly altered only in extensive atherosclerosis.
Hoeks et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension and atherosclerosis (n=75). Hypertension vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Arterial distensibility of the common carotid artery (p=<0.01). Hypertension significantly reduced arterial distensibility compared to healthy controls (13.3 vs 19.1 x 10(-3)/kPa; P<0.01), while arterial compliance was altered only in extensive atherosclerosis.