Aortic root dimension and arterial stiffness in arterial hypertension: the Campania Salute Network

Objectives: The relation between aortic root dimension (ARD) and measures of arterial stiffness is uncertain. Accordingly, we studied the relation between ARD and an estimate of arterial stiffness in 12 392 hypertensive patients (age 53 ± 12 years, 43% women) free of prevalent cardiovascular disease and with ejection fraction at least 50%, from the Campania Salute Network Registry. Methods: Echocardiographic ARD was measured and compared with the value predicted by age, sex and height by using a z-score. Arterial stiffness was assessed by the pulse pressure/stroke index. The highest population tertile of pulse pressure/stroke index was considered ‘high arterial stiffness’. Results: High arterial stiffness was more common in women than in men (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Blood vessels Source Type: research