Search

Background: Arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, limited evidence exists on whether arterial stiffening correlates not only with cardiovascular events, but also with subclinical atherosclerotic lesions. This study aimed to provide information on arterial stiffening by the measurements of distensibility at aortic site in angina patients in whom angiographic evaluation allowed guantification of coronary atherosclerosis. Methods: We studied 137 patients with angina admitted to our hospital for coronary angiography. The measurements of aortic distensibility were carried out in the proximal ascending aorta, 3cm from the origin of the aorta by a Echocardiography System (Acuson). Patients were classified into three groups according to the angiographic findings: nonsignificant coronary lesions (lumen narrowing

Background: Individuals with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mmHg should be considered as pre-hypertensive. however limited evidence exists on whether the early drug intervention is needed according to identification of other cardiovascular risk factors except diabetes. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an index of aortic stiffening is known recently as a new predictor for future cardiovascular events. We examined the relation between PWV and blood pressure response during exercise in the patients with pre-hypertension, because exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise even in asymptomatic normotensive individuals is associated with other established cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: 96 consecutive patients with pre-hypertension were monitored during symptom-limited incremental exercise testing with treadmill. Cuff blood pressure was measured every minute during exercise testing with automatic indirect manometer. Results: Although there were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure at rest and at the peak exercise between the patients with high PWV (≥15% higher than age-matched average value, n=39) and those with low PWV(