Arterial compliance and systolic hypertension in men

A methodology for the determination of arterial compliance in men was developped. Arterial compliance was estimated from analysis of the monoexponential blood pressure-time curve during diastole, according to a simple visco-elastic model. Arterial compliance and indices of ventricular ejection were measured in patients with systolic hypertension. In the younger patients, arterial compliance and stroke volume were within normal ranges. Rapid ejection time was significantly reduced, indicating an increased velocity in the first part of ventricular ejection. Systolic pressure decreased significantly after administration of propranolol, which also caused prolongation of rapid ejection time. In the older patients, indices of ventricular ejection were within normal values. Arterial compliance significantly reduced. Systolic pressure decreased significantly after administration of sodium nitroprusside, which caused an increase in arterial compliance. These findings provide evidence that the hemodynamic mechanisms of systolic hypertension differ in younger and older patients, and could influence the choice of drugs to decrease systolic pressure.