Non-invasive evaluation of endothelial function in hypertensive elderly patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Gerontology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Impaired endothelium-dependent vasomotion is a key factor in atherosclerosis.
• Normal endothelium regulates blood vessel tone and provides atheroprotective effects.
• Aging and hypertension are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of aging and hypertension on endothelial function.
• To evaluate systemic vascular endothelial function using brachial artery vasodilation and carotid artery intima-media thickness.
• To assess both endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation.

Main Methods:

• Recruited geriatric (over 60) and middle-aged subjects, including hypertensive and healthy individuals.
• Measured brachial arterial vasodilation via flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) and endothelial independent dilation (IDNMD%).
• Assessed carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) using high-resolution ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) was significantly reduced in elderly and hypertensive patients.
• Both FMD% and isosorbide dinitrate mediated dilation (IDNMD%) inversely correlated with age and carotid artery IMT.
• FMD% also inversely correlated with diastolic blood pressure, but not with systolic blood pressure or lipid levels.

Conclusions:

• Endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation decrease with aging, even in healthy elderly individuals.
• Hypertension further impairs endothelial function in the elderly.
• Carotid artery IMT is a potential indicator of endothelial function, showing positive correlations with age and hypertension.