[Evaluation of arterial elasticity in initial hypertension by pulse wave velocity and wave intensity technique].

Objective: To explore the early changes of arterial elasticity in initial hypertension through two different methods.

Methods: A total of 76 hypertensive patients (Grade 1-2, n = 32) were assigned into hypertension group while the age and gender-matched healthy population was selected as normal group (n = 44). All of them were monitored for baPWV in right carotid artery by wave intensity technique. The parameters of two methods were compared between two groups.

Results: Higher bi-lateral baPWV were found in the hypertension group (right: (1472 ± 198) m/s vs (1353 ± 233) m/s), (left: (1465 ± 198) m/s vs (1353 ± 241) m/s) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, Patients in the hypertension group had statistically higher W(1) ((9.8 ± 3.8)×10(3) mm Hg×m×s(-3) vs (7.4 ± 2.4)×10(3)) mm Hg×m×s(-3), W(2) ((2.8 ± 1.1)×10(3) mm Hg×m×s(-3) vs (2.0 ± 1.0)×10(3) mm Hg×m×s(-3)), stiffness parameter (β) ((6.9 ± 2.6) vs (5.1 ± 1.3)), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) ((99 ± 39) kPa vs (57 ± 17) kPa), one-point wave velocity (PWVβ) ((6.0 ± 1.1) m/s vs (4.6 ± 0.6) m/s), PWVWI ((6.2 ± 1.4) m/s vs (4.4 ± 1.0) m/s) (P < 0.01). R-W(1) ((100 ± 14) ms vs (103 ± 13) ms), (W(1)-W(2)) ((261 ± 20) ms vs (274 ± 15) ms) and arterial compliance (AC) ((0.8 ± 0.4) mm(2)/kPa vs (1.1 ± 0.3) mm(2)/kPa) in the hypertension group were statistically lower than those of the normal group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The initial hypertensive patients may have impaired arterial elasticity during an early stage.