The authors investigate the degree of alteration of large vessels in newly detected not treated hypertension, using a series of non-invasive indicators of vascular function and their association with selected parameters of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in a group of 23 hypertonic patients and 23 subjects with normal blood pressure. The mean age of the examined subjects was 51.1 +/- 16.6 years. In the echocardiographic indicators a significant difference was found between the groups as regards the weight of the LV and in the ratios of amplitudes and time integrals of waves E and A of the Doppler record of transmitral flow. Comparison of functional and morphological indicators of large vessels revealed significant differences between groups as regards tension in the aortic arch, value of the elastic module (EMp), rate of pulse wave (RPVcf) and relative systolic rate of the arteriovelocitogram. Correlation analysis revealed positive relations between age, blood pressure and weight of the LV on the one hand and EMp, diameter of the femoral artery and RPVc on the other hand. The ratio of E/A waves and their time integrals displayed the same correlation with the pulse change and the tension of the aortic arch, with the peak and relative systolic rate of the arteriovelocitogram and a negative correlation with the EMp values. These results provide evidence of a reduced elasticity of the large vessels in the group of newly detected hypertonics, associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and a reduction of its diastolic function. This finding implies the necessity to focus treatment not only on normalization of blood pressure readings but to consider also other components of the hypertensive syndrome.

Keywords: Adult; Aorta, Thoracic /diagnostic imaging/; Blood Flow Velocity; Carotid Arteries /diagnostic imaging/; Echocardiography; Elasticity; Female; Femoral Artery /physiopathology/; Humans; Hypertension /diagnostic imaging/; Male; Middle Aged; Ventricular Function, Left