title: [Pulse wave velocity as expression of arterial compliance and its importance in the evaluation of arterial hypertension].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the arterial compliance through the evaluation of pulse wave velocity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open study with direct comparison of different groups within a 12 week evaluation period.
  
  
  METHODS
  69 patients, 49 with hypertension and 20 normals individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different groups with the following treatments: Isradipine, Lisinopril, Dilevalol and no therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is marked differences in the pulse wave velocity when hypertensive patients are compared with normal individuals (p < 0.001). In a 12 week therapeutic evaluation there is an improvement in the pulse wave velocity particularly when the arterial pressure was lowered to normal values in the hypertensive patients: Lisinopril (p < 0.005), Isradipine (p < 0.005), Dilevalol (p < 0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is very easy to evaluate the pulse wave velocity. Arterial compliance, which may be evaluated using the pulse wave velocity, is significantly reduced in hypertensive patients, compared with age-matched control subjects. The use of antihypertensive drugs is associated with changes in arterial compliance. There is a significant decrease in the pulse wave velocity after the administration of ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers for an equivalent fall in blood pressure. These observations emphasizes the potential importance of the changes in the large arteries, considered as either an associated factor or a consequence of elevated blood pressure, in the evaluation of the cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality of patients treated for hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pego
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Providência
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D003187:Compliance; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse
vernacular_title: A velocidade da onda de pulso como expressão da compliance arterial e sua importância na avaliação da hipertensão arterial.