[Atherosclerotic (systolic) hypertension]

Systolic hypertension was studied in 92 patients, aged 60 to 103 years, some of them being followed-up for periods up to 8 years. The examination included that of haemodynamics, functional state of the heart and gas composition of blood (by the dye dilution technique, polycardiography, teleradiography, Sechenov and van Slyke methods, the micro-Astrup technique). The previously reported concept of the author was proved, i.e. the immediate haemodynamic cause of arterial pressure elevation in this pathology consists in an increased cardiac output against the background of an increased total elastic resistance of the arterial system. The elevation of the cardiac output is due not only to the neuro-humoral disorders in the regulation of arterial pressure in old age, but also to the adaptational factors directed to the improvement of oxygen transport and consumption by the tissues when the premeability of the vascular-tissuemembranes is impaired.