This study provides the first evidence that PWV is linked to MSNA in normal humans. The relationship between MSNA and PWV is independent of age, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, heart rate, pulse pressure or blood pressure.

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OBJECTIVE -Cerebrovascular reactivity impairment was reported as a marker of cerebral microangiopathy in long-term type 1 diabetes. Intima-media complex thickening reflects early stages of macroangiopathy in type 1 diabetes. The analysis of the relationship between these variables and other microangiopathic complications might serve as a beneficial indicator for early prophylaxis in these patients.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Vasomotor reactivity reserve (VMRr) and breath-holding index (BHI) of the middle cerebral artery were measured with transcranial Doppler in 59 patients (median age 32.0 years, range 20 -51, 36 females) with type 1 diabetes, without history of cerebrovascular events, and 30 healthy control subjects (median age 31.5 years, range 25-39, 15 females). The relationships between the presence of selected vascular complications of type 1 diabetes and biochemical parameters, intima-media thickness (IMT), and VMRr and BHI in patients were analyzed.RESULTS -VMRr and BHI were lower in patients with type 1 diabetes when compared with healthy subjects (81.5 vs. 100%, P Ͻ 0.01, and 1.6 vs. 2.2, P ϭ 0.04, respectively), whereas IMT was significantly higher in patients then in healthy control subjects (0.36 vs. 0.30 mm, P ϭ 0.001). However, no association of IMT with VMRr was found. We found a significant reduction of VMRr and BHI in patients with diabetic nephropathy.CONCLUSIONS -The presence of diabetic nephropathy, but not IMT, can be regarded as an indicator of cerebral microangiopathy severity in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 32:878-882, 2009

Apnoea is associated with ICP swings, closely reflecting changes in EtCO2, HR and peripheral BP. The baroreflex influences the pial artery response.

on behalf of the European Project On Genes in Hypertension (EPOGH) InvestigatorsObjectives: To our knowledge, no population study described the association of the radial and longitudinal components of left ventricular strain with blood pressure (BP) components in continuous analyses. We therefore investigated these associations in participants randomly recruited from the general population in the framework of the family-based European Project on Genes in Hypertension.Methods: In 334 participants (55.4% women; mean age, 43.6 year), using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), we measured the end-systolic longitudinal strain (mean 20.9%) and peak systolic strain rate (1.29 s À1 ) from the basal portion of the left ventricular inferior and posterior free walls and radial stain (51.1%) and strain rate (3.40 s À1 ) of the left ventricular posterior wall. Models included in addition to covariables and confounders both SBP and DBP or both pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Effect sizes were expressed per 1-SD increase in BP.Results: Longitudinal strain (À0.62%; P ¼ 0.04 and À0.64%; P ¼ 0.007), but not strain rate, decreased with DBP and MAP. Radial strain (4.0 and À3.4%; P 0.001) and strain rate (0.38 and À0.18 s À1 ; P 0.04) independently increased with SBP and decreased with DBP. Accordingly, radial strain (2.9%; P < 0.0001) and strain rate (0.22 s À1 ; P ¼ 0.0005) increased with higher PP, but were not related to MAP. Conclusion:In the general population, BP is an independent determinant of left ventricular systolic function as measured by TDI. Radial function increased with PP, the pulsatile BP component, whereas longitudinal function decreased with the steady component of BP as expressed by MAP or DBP.