Mechanical factors of cardiovascular risk in systemic arterial hypertension. A new sign of arterial rigidity.

Unlabelled: ANTECEDENT: By means of sphygmokinetocardiography (SKCG) we developed and arterial rigidity index (ARI) which measure the pulse wave aortic carotid reflexion time over the left ventricular ejection time (LVET). This index, together with the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the pulse pressure (PP) are indicators of arterial stiffness. In this paper we measured these index in 27 systemic artery hypertension. Cases (group A, GA), with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (subgroups: A1 SGA1, n = 13, and A2, SGA2, n = 14), respectively, and 28 normotensive cases (group B, GB).

Protocol: In two occasions: after 3 minutes of sitting position (SP) and after 3 minute of logging in an upright position (UP), blood pressure, ARI, PP, PWV (aortic-hand finger distance/aorto-hand finger pulse time) and R-IV interval (electrocardiographic R wave-left early ventricular kinetocardiography deflexion) were measured.

Results: Demography was similar in GA and GB. Systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure were significantly higher in GA vs GB. LVET (ms) was lower in GA vs GB in SP (268 +/- 42 vs 274 +/- 40, p < 0.001, respectively) and higher postexercise UP (280 +/- 42 vs 244 +/- 46, p < 0.001). PWV m/s were higher in SP in GA vs GB (9.8 +/- 2.8 vs 7.4 +/- 1.2, p < 0.001, respectively) and in UP (10.1 +/- 1.9 vs 7.9 +/- 9, p < 0.001, respectively). ARI was lower in UP in GA vs GB (0.48 +/- 0.3 vs 0.80 +/- 0.3, p < 0.003). Correlation index of PP vs SBP, vs DBP and vs PWV were significant in SP and in UP. Height had a significant correlation vs ARI in SP and UP (r = 0.60, p < 0.01, and r = 0.42, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion: PWV is increased in GA vs GB patients. The ARI index is lower in GA vs GB cases in post exercise. PWV and PP showed a statistical significant correlation; height vs ARI had also a significant correlation: SKCG is a new method, that uses a not commercially instrument, which should have clinical application.