[Dynamics of pulse pressure in orthostatic test: interrelationships with risk factors and involvement of the heart and vessels in elderly patients with arterial hypertension].

We studied dynamics of arterial pulse pressure (APP) during active orthostatic test (AOT) in relation to cardiac and vascular involvement in 198 elderly patients with arterial hypertension. We measured and compared parameters of hemodynamics, rate of detection of risk factors, signs of affection of the heart and vessels in subgroups with elevation of APP (n=50), lowering of APP by more than 10 mm Hg (n=50) and intermediate deviations of APP (n=98) in orthostasis. In patients with elevation of APP during AOT smoking, increased aortic stiffness, history of myocardial infarction were detected more often and risk of development of cardiovascular diseases according to SCORE system was higher than in patients with lowering of APP or absence of its dynamics. Patients with lowering of APP more than 10 mm Hg significantly more often had cerebrovascular disease appearing as history of cerebral strokes and/or transitory ischemic attacks. The conclusion was made about possible significance of orthostatic increment of APP as supplementary marker of cardiovascular risk in elderly patients with arterial hypertension.