Different effects of hypertension, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia on arterial distensibility.

Objective : To investigate the different effects of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis on the visco-elastic properties of large arteries. Design : Vessel wall properties were determined in patients who had been subjected for the first time to coronary arteriography. Normotensive patients with no coronary disease (n = 15), one-vessel disease (n = 15) or two- or three-vessel disease (n = 15), treated hypertensive patients (mean ± SEM duration of hypertension 9.6±1.7 years) with no coronary disease and normocholesterolaemia and 15 healthy controls were matched for blood pressure, age and sex. Methods : Arterial distension of the common carotid artery was determined by using a multigate Doppler system. The blood pressure curve was recorded by finger plethysmography. Results : The end-diastolic diameter was significantly higher in the hypertensives (P<0.05) but not significantly different in the normotensives compared with the controls. Arterial distensibility was significantly lower in the hypertensive group [(13.3±0.8)x10 -3 /kPa] than in the controls [(19.1±1.5)x10 -3 /kP ; P<0.01), in the group with no coronary disease [(18.8±1.3)x10 -3 /kPa ; P<0.01] and in those with one-vessel disease [(17.7±1.4)x10 -3 /kPa ; P<0.05]. Arteria distensibility was not significantly lower in the hypertensives than in the group with two- or three-vessel disease [(15.0±1.0)x10 -3 /kPa ; NS). No significant correlation was found between cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) levels and arterial distensibility in the normotensive patients. Conclusions : Hypertension is the predominant factor affecting the visco-elastic properties of large arteries. Arterial compliance is significantly altered only in extensive atherosclerosis.