title: Determinants of aortic stiffening in elderly subjects: results of a nine-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate determinants of increase in aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in elderly subjects free from overt cardiovascular disease and not treated for arterial hypertension at baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study included 90 lecture attendees ("Continuing Adult Education") who were examined at baseline and after a median follow-up of 9.5 years, including the PWV measurement using SphygmoCor. We used multiple linear regression analyses to assess predictors of PWV change. As independent covariates, we considered parameters with known effect on arterial stiffness and use of antihypertensive and lipid lowering medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, mean age was 66.9 ± 5.1 years, and 37.8% of subjects had arterial hypertension, respectively. The PWV increased from 9.4 to 10.2 m/s; p = 0.035. While accounting for covariates, PWV was significantly and independently associated with four factors: baseline heart rate (β = 0.074, χ(2) = 7.40; p = 0.0079), mean arterial pressure (β = 0.070, χ(2) = 11.39; p = 0.0011), fasting glucose (β = 0.790, χ(2) = 11.30; p = 0.0012), and use of antihypertensive medication (β = - 1.416, χ(2) = 7.95; p = 0.0060). We did not observe correlation between PWV increase and lipid or renal parameters and lipid lowering medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In elderly subjects without manifest cardiovascular disease, mechanical load and glucose concentration play a major role in the aortic stiffening. Use of antihypertensive treatment was associated with smaller PWV increase.
authors: Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, 305 99 Plzen, The Czech Republic. seidlerovaji@fnplzen.cz
authors: Jitka
authors: J
authors: Seidlerová
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Filipovský
authors: Milena
authors: M
authors: Dolejšová
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents