Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Higher blood pressure load (baric impact) in normotensives with endothelial dysfunction: a paraphysiological status
P Cugini1, F Baldoni, R De Rosa
1Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Purpose:
The present study investigated the blood pressure (BP) load (L), namely Baric Impact (BI), in normotensives with and without endothelial dysfunction (ED). The aim was to detect baric differences supporting the thesis that the ED is associated with vasopressant effects that are responsible for a paraphysiological condition of higher BP (pre-hypertension) even in normotensives.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-eight normotensives were investigated in their endothelium-dependent vasomotricity by mean of the non-invasive post-ischemic brachial artery vasodilation test. Additionally, their underwent a non-invasive ambulatory (A) BP monitoring (M) over the 24-h span in order to confirm that they were not hypertensive. The ABPM served also to compute the systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BI.
Results:
The ED was detected in eight normotensives of the investigated group. These cases with ED were found to show a significantly higher SBI and DBI as compared to the normotensives without ED.
Conclusions:
The significant elevation of the SBI and DBI in normotensives with ED is an evidence convincing that a dysfunctional endothelium is responsible for vasopressant effects that cause a paraphysiological status of "pre-hypertension".
Related Concept Videos
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
Hypertension I: Introduction
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers