Reduced Systemic Arterial Compliance Is Associated with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Older People

Abstract

This study demonstrates a positive relationship between diastolic filling and arterial compliance in the older population. However, in multiple regression analysis, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and left ventricular mass were the independent predictors of diastolic filling (E/A), whereas arterial compliance was not. These findings imply that therapeutic modulation of aortic stiffness would not, of itself, contribute to improvement in diastolic function.

Left ventricular structure and diastolic function with human ageing Relation to habitual exercise and arterial stiffness

“…This supports the concept that arterial stiffening is only one factor that contributes to ventricular ageing. Indeed, our findings are in agreement with the conclusions of Rajkumar et al 28 that therapeutic modulation of aortic stiffness, by itself, may not improve LV diastolic function. Other putative mechanisms that may contribute to LV remodelling and reduced diastolic function with physiological ageing include increased peripheral resistance, 29 extracellular matrix proliferation and collagen cross-linking, 30 and/or altered excitation-calcium release-contraction-relaxation coupling in myocardial cells together with impaired sequestration of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum.…”

Resistance training and arterial compliance: keeping the benefits while minimizing the stiffening

“…By absorbing a proportion of the energy in systole and releasing it in diastole, they maintain coronary blood flow and avoid an increase in left ventricular afterload. Through the impairment of this buffering function, reductions in arterial compliance or increases in arterial stiffness contribute to elevations in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary ischemia [1,2]. Indeed, higher arterial stiffness is associated with a greater rate of mortality in patients with end-stage renal failure and essential hypertension [3,4].…”

Aerobic Exercise Training Does Not Modify Large-Artery Compliance in Isolated Systolic Hypertension

“…Stiffening of the large proximal arteries is recognized as the cause of ISH 5,6 and occurs as a result of age-related deterioration in elastic fibers and also the atherosclerotic process. 7 The consequent increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) contributes to increased cardiac afterload and left ventricular hypertrophy, 8 whereas reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) may impair subendocardial perfusion, particularly in the setting of coronary artery disease. 9,10 Hypertension treatment guidelines now reflect the important role of SBP with regard to cardiovascular risk, and the benefits of pharmacological treatment have recently been convincingly demonstrated with the conclusion of 3 large trials: Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP), 11 Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur), 12 and Systolic Hypertension in China (Syst-China).…”