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Structure and Function of Systemic Arteries: Reflections on the Arterial Pulse

Michael F O'Rourke1,2, Audrey Adji1,3, Michel E Safar4

  • 1Department of Cardiology, St Vincent's Clinic, Sydney, Australia.

American Journal of Hypertension
|July 18, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Arterial structure and function are crucial for understanding arterial hypertension. Over time, heartbeats can damage arteries, impacting their tuning and leading to clinical issues.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • The arterial system connects the heart's pulsatile output to continuous peripheral flow.
  • Arterial tree function is conventionally assessed via brachial artery blood pressure.
  • Understanding arterial dynamics is key to managing arterial hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively analyze the structure and function of arteries.
  • To explore the interaction between the heart's beat and arterial pulse.
  • To investigate age-related changes in arterial tuning and their link to clinical syndromes.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis based on published numerical data.
  • Integration of physical, physiological, and pathophysiological principles.
  • Focus on the heart's beat, arterial pulse, and their interplay.

Main Results:

  • The arterial tree is finely tuned to the heart's beat across diverse species and human lifespan up to age 30.
  • Post-age 30, cumulative heartbeats progressively degrade arterial structure and tuning.
  • This degradation is associated with the emergence of clinical syndromes.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial structure and function are dynamically modulated by the heart's pulsatile output.
  • Age-related decline in arterial tuning contributes to cardiovascular disease.
  • Quantitative physiological and pathophysiological insights are essential for understanding arterial health.

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