Changes in aortic elasticity in aged patients with essential arterial hypertension

: Aortic elasticity was studied in aged patients with mild and moderate arterial hypertension using magnetic resonance imaging. The analysis of changes in cross section area (CSA) of the ascending aorta in systole has shown that in some patients maximal CSA occurs in different systolic phases while in the other patients CSA remains unchanged. Calculation with the elasticity rate proved that patients with maximal aortic diameter at the beginning of the systole have maximal aortic elasticity while those with minimal changes in aortic diameter in the course of the systole have minimal elasticity. Thus, in aged patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension aortic wall loses its elasticity to different extent. Further studies will specify clinical and pathogenetic implications of reduced aortic elasticity in arterial hypertension.