Aging in normotensive men was associated with lower carotid artery distensibility (12 vs 21 kPa(-1) x 10(-3); P<0.01) but no difference in radial artery distensibility compared to young subjects.
Cross-Sectional (n=149)
Does aging modify the distensibility and functional parameters of elastic and muscular arteries in normotensive men?
Aging decreases the distensibility of large elastic arteries like the carotid artery, but does not significantly affect the distensibility of medium-sized muscular arteries like the radial artery.
Absolute Event Rate: 12% vs 21%
p-value: p=<0.01
Aging decreases the distensibility of large elastic arteries; however, the effects of age on the functional parameters of muscular, medium-sized arteries are not well determined. This study evaluated the consequences of aging on the functional parameters of the carotid and radial arteries in normotensive men. A total of 62 elderly subjects (aged 74+/-2 years) were compared with 87 young subjects (aged 35+/-3 years). Internal diameter and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured by a high-resolution echo-tracking system to calculate distensibility and incremental elastic modulus (Einc). Although in the normal range, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were statistically different in the 2 groups at 128+/-19 and 74+/-13 mm Hg versus 121+/-27 and 71+/-18 mm Hg in the young and elderly subjects, respectively (P<0.05). At the carotid artery level, elderly subjects exhibited a greater IMT (742+/-144 versus 469+/-132 microm; P<0.01) and internal diameter (7067+/-828 versus 6062+/-1026 microm; P<0.01) than young subjects; elderly subjects also had lower distensibility (12+/-2 versus 21+/-2 kPa(-1) x 10(-3); P<0.01) and higher Einc (0.9+/-0.2 versus 0.7+/-0.3 kPa x 10(3); P<0.01). At the radial artery level, both IMT (240+/-42 versus 218+/-51 microm; P<0.01) and internal diameter (2685+/-432 versus 2491+/-444 microm; P<0.01) were greater in elderly subjects, but no differences in distensibility and Einc were observed between the 2 groups. All differences remained significant, even after adjusting for mean blood pressure. These results indicate that the increase of the internal diameter and IMT observed during the aging process can have opposite effects on the functional parameters of large elastic or medium-sized muscular arteries.
Bortolotto et al. (1999) conducted a cross-sectional in Normotension (n=149). Elderly age vs. Young age was evaluated on Carotid artery distensibility (kPa(-1) x 10(-3)) (p=<0.01). Aging in normotensive men was associated with lower carotid artery distensibility (12 vs 21 kPa(-1) x 10(-3); P<0.01) but no difference in radial artery distensibility compared to young subjects.