Arterial elasticity among normotensive subjects and treated and untreated hypertensive subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine arterial elasticity in normotensive and hypertensive individuals.


BACKGROUND
In addition to blood pressure, other parameters serve as markers for vascular disease. Arterial elasticity is one parameter that can be determined by a modified Windkessel model of the circulation. This model estimates, from a computerized pulse contour analysis, the proximal (capacitive) elasticity of the large arteries and the distal (reflective) elasticity of the small arteries.


METHODS
A prospective, multi-center, controlled clinical study evaluated large-artery and small-artery elasticity indices in four groups: (1) normotensives without a family history of hypertension; (2) normotensives with a family history of hypertension; (3) treated and controlled hypertensives; and (4) untreated and uncontrolled hypertensives. Blood pressure, using a mercury manometer, and arterial elasticity, using a CVProfilor DO-2020 CardioVascular Profiling System (Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc., Eagan, MN, USA), were measured supine in triplicate 3 min apart in a randomized sequence.


RESULTS
There were 212 evaluable subjects of mean age 46 years; 57% were women, 51% Caucasian and 33% African-American. Comparing normotensives without a family history and untreated hypertensives, both large-artery and small-artery elasticity indices were significantly different (P < 0.0001). After controlling for age and body surface area, a significant linear trend (P = 0.0001) across the four groups was detected for both large- and small-artery elasticity indices.


CONCLUSIONS
As the hypertension status worsened, large- and small-artery elasticity indices decreased, suggesting a potential for the diagnostic use of arterial elasticity determinations.
Prisant
L M
LM
Hypertension Unit, Section of Cardiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3105, USA. mprisant@mail.mcg.edu
Resnick
L M
LM
Hollenberg
S M
SM
D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004548:Elasticity; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011446:Prospective Studies; D044469:Racial Groups