title: Aortic Compliance and Stiffness Among Severe Longstanding Hypertensive and Non-hypertensive.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abnormal aortic function in hypertension is generally attributed to accelerated breakdown of elastin in the aorta, leading to dilatation of the lumen and stiffening of the wall as elastin is replaced with stiffer collagen. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Vascular stiffening can activate endothelium which in turn may promote atherogenesis. Modulation of arterial stiffness has been shown to be successfully managed via changes in lifestyle and put under control of hypertension pharmacologically with antihypertensive drugs and statins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred and forty four patients have been enrolled in this study. They have been divided in two groups, with hypertension and group of control. Groups were with no age difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group with hypertension were with reduced aortic strain, distensibility (compliance) and have higher stiffness than control group; GrHTA =9.3 compared to GC=5.4. After successful treatment of hypertension with antihypertensives and statins, for two years, these parameters showed improvement, but still remain out of normal range compared to control group; 7.6 vs. 5.38.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypertensive patients have reduced aortic elasticity and increased stiffness which can be stopped and improved after treatment with antihypertensive and statin.
authors.affiliation: University Clinical Centre of Kosova , Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Lulzim Selim
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Kamberi
authors.forename: Daut Rashit
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gorani
authors.forename: Teuta Faik
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Hoxha
authors.forename: Bedri Faik
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Zahiti
keywords: Aortic elasticity; Aortic stiffness; Hypertension