Pulse Pressure

[Guest guest]

We've discussed 'pulse pressure', ie the difference b/w systolic BP

and the Diastolic component of BP, on several occasions. This study

shows a relationship b/w pulse pressure and the diameter of the arotic

root:

Hypertension. 2008;51:196-202

Published online before print December 24, 2007, doi:

10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.099515

Pulse Pressure Is Inversely Related to Aortic Root Diameter

Implications for the Pathogenesis of Systolic Hypertension

S. Morteza Farasat; H. Morrell; Angelo Scuteri; Chih-Tai

Ting; C.P. Yin; Harold A. Spurgeon; Chen-Huan Chen; G.

Lakatta; Samer S. Najjar

From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (S.M.F., C.H.M., H.A.S.,

E.G.L., S.S.N.), and the Clinical Research Branch (S.M.F.), National

Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Md;

Mathematical Sciences Department (C.H.M.), Loyola College, Baltimore,

Md; Unità Operativa Geriatria (A.S.), Istituto Nazionale Ricovero E

Cura Anziani, Rome, Italy; Institute of Clinical Medicine and

Cardiovascular Research Institute (C.-T.T., C.-H.C.), National

Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cardiovascular Center (C.-T.T.),

Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; and the

Department of Biomedical Engineering (F.C.P.Y.), Washington

University, St Louis, Mo.

Correspondence to Samer S. Najjar, National Institute on Aging, 3001

South Hanover St, Baltimore, MD 21225. E-mail najjarsa@...

Hypertension accelerates the age-associated increase in aortic root

diameter (AoD), likely because of chronically elevated distending

pressures. However, the pulsatile component of blood pressure may have

a different relationship with AoD. We sought to assess the

relationship between AoD and pulse pressure (PP) while accounting for

left ventricular and central arterial structural and functional

properties, which are known to influence PP. The study population was

composed of 1256 individuals, aged 30 to 79 years (48% women and 48%

hypertensive), none of whom were on antihypertensive medications.

Blood pressure was measured in the sitting position with conventional

sphygmomanometry. PP was calculated as the difference between systolic

and diastolic blood pressures. AoD was measured at end diastole at the

level of the sinuses of Valsalva with echocardiography. The

relationship between AoD and PP was evaluated with multiple regression

analyses. PP was 50±14 mm Hg in men and 54±18 mm Hg in women, and AoD

was 31.9±3.5 mm in men and 28.9±3.5 mm in women. After adjusting for

age, age2, height, weight, and mean arterial pressure, AoD was

independently and inversely associated with PP in both sexes. After

further adjustments for central arterial stiffness and wall thickness,

reflected waves, and left ventricular geometry, AoD remained inversely

associated with PP in both men (coefficient=–0.48; P=0.0003; model

R2=0.51) and women (coefficient=–0.40; P=0.01; model R2=0.61). Thus,

AoD is inversely associated with PP, suggesting that a small AoD may

contribute to the pathogenesis of systolic hypertension. Longitudinal

studies are needed to examine this possibility.

Key Words: aorta • sinus of Valsalva • pulse pressure • systolic

hypertension

What is the AORTIC ROOT? It represents the outflow tract from the left

ventricle, provides the supporting structures for the leaflets of the

aortic valve, and forms the bridge between the left ventricle and the

ascending aorta.

This article describes it very well:

http://mmcts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2007/0219/mmcts.2006.002527

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

And what is the reason for the reduced aortic diameter?

Clogged arteries, which we can do something about? Hereditary narrowed aorta, for which we would need to change our parents? Or something else?

Rodney.

>> We've discussed 'pulse pressure', ie the difference b/w systolic BP> and the Diastolic component of BP, on several occasions. This study> shows a relationship b/w pulse pressure and the diameter of the arotic> root:> > Hypertension. 2008;51:196-202> Published online before print December 24, 2007, doi:> 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.099515> > Pulse Pressure Is Inversely Related to Aortic Root Diameter> Implications for the Pathogenesis of Systolic Hypertension> S. Morteza Farasat; H. Morrell; Angelo Scuteri; Chih-Tai> Ting; C.P. Yin; Harold A. Spurgeon; Chen-Huan Chen; G.> Lakatta; Samer S. Najjar> > From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (S.M.F., C.H.M., H.A.S.,> E.G.L., S.S.N.), and the Clinical Research Branch (S.M.F.), National> Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Md;> Mathematical Sciences Department (C.H.M.), Loyola College, Baltimore,> Md; Unità Operativa Geriatria (A.S.), Istituto Nazionale Ricovero E> Cura Anziani, Rome, Italy; Institute of Clinical Medicine and> Cardiovascular Research Institute (C.-T.T., C.-H.C.), National> Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cardiovascular Center (C.-T.T.),> Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; and the> Department of Biomedical Engineering (F.C.P.Y.), Washington> University, St Louis, Mo.> > Correspondence to Samer S. Najjar, National Institute on Aging, 3001> South Hanover St, Baltimore, MD 21225. E-mail najjarsa@...> > Hypertension accelerates the age-associated increase in aortic root> diameter (AoD), likely because of chronically elevated distending> pressures. However, the pulsatile component of blood pressure may have> a different relationship with AoD. We sought to assess the> relationship between AoD and pulse pressure (PP) while accounting for> left ventricular and central arterial structural and functional> properties, which are known to influence PP. The study population was> composed of 1256 individuals, aged 30 to 79 years (48% women and 48%> hypertensive), none of whom were on antihypertensive medications.> Blood pressure was measured in the sitting position with conventional> sphygmomanometry. PP was calculated as the difference between systolic> and diastolic blood pressures. AoD was measured at end diastole at the> level of the sinuses of Valsalva with echocardiography. The> relationship between AoD and PP was evaluated with multiple regression> analyses. PP was 50±14 mm Hg in men and 54±18 mm Hg in women, and AoD> was 31.9±3.5 mm in men and 28.9±3.5 mm in women. After adjusting for> age, age2, height, weight, and mean arterial pressure, AoD was> independently and inversely associated with PP in both sexes. After> further adjustments for central arterial stiffness and wall thickness,> reflected waves, and left ventricular geometry, AoD remained inversely> associated with PP in both men (coefficient=–0.48; P=0.0003; model> R2=0.51) and women (coefficient=–0.40; P=0.01; model R2=0.61). Thus,> AoD is inversely associated with PP, suggesting that a small AoD may> contribute to the pathogenesis of systolic hypertension. Longitudinal> studies are needed to examine this possibility.> > > Key Words: aorta • sinus of Valsalva • pulse pressure • systolic> hypertension> > > > > > What is the AORTIC ROOT? It represents the outflow tract from the left> ventricle, provides the supporting structures for the leaflets of the> aortic valve, and forms the bridge between the left ventricle and the> ascending aorta.> > This article describes it very well:> > http://mmcts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2007/0219/mmcts.2006.002527>