title: [Study of arterial distensibility in man. Modulating mechanisms, pathological conditions and effects of treatment].
abstract: The reduction of large arterial distensibility has several adverse consequences for the cardiovascular system. This paper reviews the evidence we have obtained by measuring distensibility through quantification of changes in arterial diameter vs blood pressure changes at large elastic and middle size muscle artery sites. Evidence shows that arterial distensibility is reduced in conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. In some conditions (e.g. hypertension) the alterations are not uniformly distributed in the arteries of different structure and size whereas in others (e.g. diabetes and heart failure) they are widespread. In diabetes evidence is available that distensibility changes occur early in the course of the disease. Evidence is also available that in all above conditions treatment can improve arterial distensibility thereby reversing the initial abnormality. This is due to a variable combination of structural and functional factors. However, technical ability to determine their precise role in distensibility changes in humans is limited.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, MI.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannattasio
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Failla
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meles
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fantini
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boffi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maestroni
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancia
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003187:Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004548:Elasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D019821:Simvastatin