Arterial distensibility and pulse pressure. Measurements and clinical significance in hypertension

Distensibility of large and middle size arteries is a function of major significance for the cardiovascular system. This paper will describe data obtained by measurements of local distensibility in hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Isolated systolic hypertension is characterized by a diffuse reduction of arterial distensibility, while essential hypertension by a reduced distensibility in large elastic arteries, but an unchanged distensibility of middle size arteries. Other conditions associated with a marked reduction of arterial mechanical functions are familial hypercholesterolemia, the association of mild hypertension and mild hypercholesterolemia, congestive heart failure and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In most of these conditions, however, appropriate therapy is able to reverse the deranged arterial distensibility. Finally, epidemiological data suggest that it is justified to focus on pulse pressure, i.e. on an indirect indicator of a reduced arterial distensibility, when assessing the overall cardiovascular risk.