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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

Noninvasive Assessment of Arterial Stiffness and Risk of Atherosclerotic Events

TLDR
The effects of current and future cardiovascular drugs on arterial stiffness are discussed, as is the relationship between arterial elasticity and endothelial function.
Abstract
Investigation of arterial stiffness, especially of the large arteries, has gathered pace in recent years with the development of readily available noninvasive assessment techniques. These include the measurement of pulse wave velocity, the use of ultrasound to relate the change in diameter or area of an artery to distending pressure, and analysis of arterial waveforms obtained by applanation tonometry. Here, we describe each of these techniques and their limitations and discuss how the measured parameters relate to established cardiovascular risk factors and clinical outcome. We also consider which techniques might be most appropriate for wider clinical application. Finally, the effects of current and future cardiovascular drugs on arterial stiffness are also discussed, as is the relationship between arterial elasticity and endothelial function.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Expert consensus document on arterial stiffness: methodological issues and clinical applications

TL;DR: This paper summarizes the proceedings of several meetings of the European Network for Non-invasive Investigation of Large Arteries and is aimed at providing an updated and practical overview of the most relevant methodological aspects and clinical applications in this area.
Journal Article

Expert consensus document on arterial stiffness : methodological issues and clinical applications. Commentary

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized the proceedings of several meetings of the European Network for Non-invasive Investigation of Large Arteries and aimed at providing an updated and practical overview of the most relevant methodological aspects and clinical applications in this area.
Journal ArticleDOI

The clinical implications of endothelial dysfunction.

TL;DR: This work suggests that studies of endothelial function could be used in the care of patients and as a surrogate marker for the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies, and a growing number of interventions known to reduce cardiovascular risk have been shown to improve endothelialfunction.
Journal ArticleDOI

Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Therapy of Arterial Stiffness

TL;DR: A number of lifestyle changes and therapies that reduce arterial stiffness are presented, including weight loss, exercise, salt reduction, alcohol consumption, and neuroendocrine-directed therapies, such as those targeting the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system, natriuretic peptides, insulin modulators, as well as novel therapies that target advanced glycation end products.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Age-specific relevance of usual blood pressure to vascular mortality: a meta-analysis of individual data for one million adults in 61 prospective studies.

TL;DR: Throughout middle and old age, usual blood pressure is strongly and directly related to vascular (and overall) mortality, without any evidence of a threshold down to at least 115/75 mm Hg.
Journal ArticleDOI

Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients.

TL;DR: This study provides the first direct evidence that aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with essential hypertension.

The Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (NIH Publication No. 98-4080)

TL;DR: In older persons, diuretics are preferred and long-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonists may be considered and specific therapy for patients with LVH, coronary artery disease, and heart failure are outlined.
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