Different effects of hypertension, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia on arterial distensibility.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the different effects of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis on the visco-elastic properties of large arteries.


METHODS
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.
Department of Medicine D, University of Munster, Germany.
M
M
Barenbrock
C
C
Spieker
S
S
Kerber
C
C
Vielhauer
A P
AP
Hoeks
W
W
Zidek
K H
KH
Rahn
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010991:Plethysmography; D014463:Ultrasonography
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D002784:Cholesterol