Arterial Structural Changes in Hypertension: A Consideration of Methodology, Terminology and Functional Consequence

Abstract

Alteration of resistance artery geometric design is a hallmark of established hypertension. In particular, there is an increased media thickness: lumen diameter ratio. In this review, consideration is given to the methods available for assessment of vascular structure, the terminology used to describe vascular structural changes in hypertension and the possible functional consequences of altered arterial design in the maintenance of the hypertensive state. In light of these considerations, a number of proposals are made concerning quantification strategies and descriptor terminologies. In particular, a simple descriptor terminology is proposed that describes such structural differences but makes no assumptions concerning the underlying processes that account for altered arterial structure in hypertension.

Genetic determinants of vascular remodelling

“…Because changes in wall thickness are important for LaPlace's law, we define wall thickness as r ext -r lumen . This terminology is similar to that proposed by Mulvany et al (5) for vascular remodelling in hypertension, although the terminology remains an area of active discussion (6,7). Normal vascular remodelling is defined by three biological laws that explain the 'rules' that govern the behaviour of organs that exist as fluid-filled tubes.…”

Vascular Repair and Remodeling: A Review

“…It was always thought that the process of vascular hypertrophy was only due to increased muscle cells, as in the left ventricle, the term remodeling was first applied to the resistance vessels by Baumbach and Heistad to indicate a structural rearrangement of existing wall material around a smaller lumen [39][40][41].…”

Triggering role of acid sphingomyelinase in endothelial lysosome-membrane fusion and dysfunction in coronary arteries

“…Fresh bovine hearts were obtained from a local abattoir. Small coronary arteries (ϳ200 m inner diameter) were dissected and stored in cell culture medium, which were then mounted in a Multi Myograph 610M (Danish Myo Technology, Aarhus, Denmark) for recording of their isometric wall tension, as described previously (4,5). After 30 min of equilibration in physiological saline solution (pH 7.4) containing (in mM) 119 NaCl, 4.7 KCl, 1.6 CaCl 2, 1.17 MgSO4, 1.18 NaH2PO4, 2.24 NaHCO3, 0.026 EDTA, and 5.5 glucose, at 37°C, bubbled with a gas mixture of 95% O2 and 5% CO2, basic tension was set.…”