[Clinical study of the distensibility of large arteries in elderly patients with essential hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the change in the distensibility of large arteries and its influencing factors in elderly patients with essential hypertension.


METHODS
Automatic measuring system for pulse wave velocity (PWV) was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV as an index reflecting distensibility of large arteries. 118 hypertensive patients aged 64 - 83 (mean age 67.12 +/- 10.26) years were included in the study. Of them, 87 were males and 31 were females.


RESULTS
PWV of 118 hypertensive patients increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Multivariate regressive analysis demonstrated that age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with PWV (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension of the elderly could cause reduction of distensibility of large arteries. Age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with distensibility of large arteries in elderly patients with essential hypertension.
Zhang
Zhi-Mian
ZM
Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Liang
Ji-le
JL
Gao
Hai-Qing
HQ
Li
Man
M
Gao
Xi-Mei
XM
Mi
Feng-Hua
FH
Chen
Min
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse