Structural and dynamic changes in the elastic arteries due to arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Summary:Five groups of 20 patients each were studied to analyze the vascular dynamics and structure of the elastic arteries. Group I consisted of healthy young individuals (27 f 4 years); Group II of healthy adults (46 f 9 years); Group IU of normotensive hypercholesterolemic adults (45 f 12 years and serum cholesterol >239 mg/dl); Group IV of hypertensive normocholesterolemic adults (56 f 13 years); and Group V of hypertensive hypercholesterolemic adults (56 f 9 years). The differential arterial pressure was estimated and divided by the volume change (delta P/delta V) of the aorta and the carotid and brachial arteries. The volume change was calculated using the "cylinder formula," measuring the radius from the ultrasonographic vessel image and assigning the cylinder a height of 1 cm. The A/E index of the Doppler transmitral spechum and the maximum velocity flow using Doppler in the above arteries were calculated. The presence of carotid atherosclerosis was observed and given an arbitrary scoring grade of 0, 1 , or 2. A higher arterial and ventricular stiffness was found in the hypertensive patients regardless of the presence of hypercholesterolemia. A higher fall in Doppler velocity and an increase in atherosclerosis lesions were found in Group V. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that vascular and left ventricular stiffness have a close relationship with arterial hypertension but not with hypercholesterolemia. The hypercholesterolemic patients had a higher prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis and a higher scoring grade of severity.

Increased Arterial Stiffness in Children with a Parental History of Hypertension

“…A higher carotid stiffness and a more pronounced decrease in MVF from the aorta to the carotid were found in children with a parental history of hypertension. These observations are similar to those seen when adult hypertensives are compared to adult normotensive subjects [1], which may imply that the decrease Values are expressed as mean ± SD. a p < 0.01. in arterial compliance occurs prior to the detection of abnormal blood pressures.…”

“…The maximum and minimum diameters (d max and d min ) were measured by bidimensional images taking the same references used for the aorta. Aortic and carotid stiffness (␤) was calculated using the formula previously validated at our institution [␤ ‫ס‬ 127.32 (SP − DP)/(d max 2 − d min 2)] [1,6].…”

“…Hypertensive adults have a twofold increase in carotid and aortic stiffness when compared to normotensive cohorts [1]. Despite extensive research in the area of vascular dynamics, little has been done to characterize the compliance of elastic vessels in children with a parental history of hypertension.…”

Menopausal Status and Distensibility of the Common Carotid Artery

“…[35][36][37][38] Decreased distensibility is unfavorably associated with age 27,39 and with several cardiovascular risk factors, like cholesterol 40 and hypertension. 28,41 Loss of distensibility in elastic arteries has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in cross-sectional studies. 42,43 Longitudinal data on the effect of decreased distensibility on cardiovascular morbidity or mortality are, however, still awaited.…”

Comparison of Carotid Arterial Resistive Indices With Intima-Media Thickness as Sonographic Markers of Atherosclerosis

“…The same applies to CCA distensibility, which diminishes with increasing severity of atherosclerosis. 4,5 A correlation between IMT, distensibility, and atherosclerosis has recently been shown. 3 Measurement of IMT enabled a better discrimination of high-and low-risk patients compared with distensibility.…”