Gender-related differences in the excess pressure component of central aortic pressure waveform of healthy young

Gender-related difference in cardiovascular diseases is one of the most investigated and still unsolved issues. Finding an explanation to this topic might have important implications for the understanding of the differences between men and women in diseases and possibly lead to the development of gender-specific strategies for its management. Recent studies have proposed that the capacitive or reservoir function of the aorta and large elastic arteries plays a major role in determining the pulse wave morphology. The pressure waveform can be explained in terms of a reservoir pressure related to arterial compliance and an "excess" or wave-related pressure associated with traveling waves. Gender-differences in the ascending aorta pressure waveform reservoir and excess components are to be characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by means of a mathematical approach, gender-related differences in the central aortic pressure waveform components. Central aortic pressure waveform was non-invasively obtained in 22 healthy subjects (Age: 20 years old; 11 female). Males and females showed differences in the level and time to maximal excess pressure component, but no gender-related differences were found in the reservoir one.