Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 15, Issue 3, 2009

Arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics is a “hot” topic with increasing research and clinical interest. There is now ample evidence supporting that arterial stiffness and central hemodynamic indices have an independent predictive value for cardiovascular events and mortality. The present issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design is mainly focused on pathophysiology and treatment of arterial stiffness and central hemodyna Read More

Hypertension is a major risk factor for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases and is typically identified by measuring blood pressure (BP) at the brachial artery. Although such a measurement may accurately determine diastolic BP, it does not accurately reflect systolic BP. This is mainly attributed to the fact that blood pressure waveform is distorted as it travels outward from the heart due to the presence of wave reflecti Read More

For a long time the consideration of blood pressure was based exclusively on measurements of peripheral (brachial) blood pressure. However, there is now a growing interest in the investigation of central (aortic) pressure. There is increasing awareness that the central hemodynamics, reflected by central pressure wave forms and arterial stiffness, can provide new and better insight into the pathophysiology of cardiovas Read More

The blood pressure (BP) waveform varies substantially between the peripheral conduit (brachial) and the central elastic (aorta) arteries mainly do a gradual increase of systolic BP, as the wave propagates distally. This phenomenon is called BP amplification and is principally generated by the presence of arterial stiffness gradient and wave reflections along the arterial bed. More and more clinical studies suggest that central B Read More

The blood pressure (BP) waveform varies substantially between the peripheral conduit (brachial) and the central elastic (aorta) arteries mainly do a gradual increase of systolic BP, as the wave propagates distally. This phenomenon is called BP amplification and is principally generated by the presence of arterial stiffness gradient and wave reflections along the arterial bed. More and more clinical studies suggest that central B Read More

Arterial stiffness is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular outcome in various patient groups as well as in general population, and can directly accelerate the atherosclerotic process. Arterial stiffness is regulated by numerous factors. Traditionally, mean arterial pressure and structural changes in the components of arterial wall were thought to be main determinants of arterial stiffness, however it is now recognized that Read More

The large conduit arteries of the thorax and abdomen are elastic while those in the arms and legs are muscular. Alterations in wall properties of elastic arteries occur over time and are usually permanent in nature; acute changes can, however, occur is response to a change in transmural pressure. Chronic alterations in properties of muscular arteries are minimal but changes (e.g vasoconstriction, vasodilation or tone) do o Read More

Red wine is considered to reduce cardiovascular risk and decrease peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Central aortic pressures are often more sensitive clinical and prognostic factors than peripheral pressures, while arterial stiffness is an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. Great efforts are being made to find natural sources of improving health. In order to clarify the mechanisms und Read More

Oxidative stress is a key feature in vascular homeostasis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by multiple enzymatic sources located in various anatomical structures of the vascular wall, such as the vascular endothelium, the smooth muscle cells and inflammatory cells infiltrating sub-endothelial space and the rest of the vascular wall. Although ROS behave as signaling molecules regulating important aspects of vas Read More