Conventional 24-h SD of BP is markedly influenced by nocturnal BP fall. The weighted 24-h SD of BP removes the mathematical interference from night-time BP fall and correlates better with end-organ damage, therefore it may be considered as a simple index of 24-h BP variability superior to conventional 24-h SD.

Abstract-Although the differences between central and peripheral blood pressure (BP) values have been known for decades, the consequences of decision making based on peripheral rather than central BP have only recently been recognized. There are only a few studies assessing the relationship between intraaortic BP and cardiovascular risk. In addition, the relationship between central BP and the risk of cardiovascular events in a large group of coronary patients has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the prognostic significance of central BP-derived indices in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Invasive central BPs were taken at baseline, and study end points were ascertained during over a 4. Key Words: blood pressure Ⅲ central pulse pressure Ⅲ pulsatility Ⅲ cardiovascular risk Ⅲ atherosclerosis Ⅲ coronary artery disease D iastolic blood pressure (DBP) was previously believed to be the only meaningful predictor of cardiovascular events; however, systolic blood pressure (SBP) is now being considered an even more important cardiovascular risk factor. 1 Recently, the prospective and retrospective epidemiological studies have demonstrated that elevated pulse pressure (PP, the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure) is independently related to the risk of cardiovascular events, especially in the elderly. 1,2 Furthermore, new parameters (pulsatility and pulsatility index) of the pulsatile component of blood pressure (BP) have been developed. 3,4 Pulsatility is calculated as PP divided by mean blood pressure (MBP). 3 Unlike SBP, DBP, and PP, this new parameter is not correlated with MBP, and thus it may be very useful in research on atherosclerosis pathogenesis and its complications development. 5,6 Pulsatility may be seen as indicator of the relative changes of blood pressure in opposition to pulse pressure which is an index of absolute blood pressure changes.Although the differences between central and peripheral BP values have been known for decades, the consequences of decision making based on peripheral rather than central BP have only recently been recognized. 6 -9 As central BP directly affects heart and coronary as well as carotid arteries and is directly related to the incidence of major cardiovascular complications, more and more attention is being given to the ascending aortic BP measurements. 6,7 There are only a few studies assessing the relationship between central BP and cardiovascular risk. The relationship between pulsatility (as measured invasively in the ascending aorta) and the risk of cardiovascular events has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, the present study was designed for the assessment of the relationship between prognosis and the steady and pulsatile components of central BP. Methods Study PopulationConsecutive patients suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD) who were undergoing nonemergency coronary angiography from

Ambulatory blood pressure increases progressively with increasing altitude, remaining elevated after 3 weeks. An angiotensin receptor blockade maintains blood pressure-lowering efficacy at 3400 m but not at 5400 m.