Association between increased plasma levels of aldosterone and decreased systemic arterial compliance in subjects with essential hypertension.

We previously observed that, in subjects with essential hypertension, acute ouabain constricts the brachial artery diameter in the presence of spironolactone treatment, a finding that is not observed in the absence of aldosterone antagonist and therefore suggests a specific effect of aldosterone on the arterial wall. To evaluate whether aldosterone excess may contribute to modulate arterial function, we investigated 56 patients with sustained essential hypertension in comparison with 36 normotensive controls. Systemic arterial compliance was measured from intraarterial blood pressure and cardiac output measurements using a classical Windkessel model to determine the elasticity of the proximal arterial tree.

[Electrocardiographic evolution of severe medically treated hypertension].

Electrocardiographic finding were studied in 34 severe hypertensions submitted to antihypertensive therapy. The duration of the survey was between 2 and 6 years. No significant correlation was observed between the changes in pressure and the changes in electrocardiogramm: normalisation of blood pressure could be associated with abnormalities in the electrocardiogramm, concerning especially ST segments and T waves.