Systolic Hypertension in Arteriosclerosis Obliterans of the Lower Limbs

Abstract

Hemodynamic parameters were measured in 24 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs (AOLL) in comparison with 16 normal subjects of same age. Systemic artérial compliance was estimated from a simple visco-elastic model. In patients with (AOLL), systolic pressure was significantly increased (p<0.001) while diastolic pressure remained within normal ranges. Arterial compliance was reduced (p<0.01) and was negatively correlated with systolic pressure (r = − 0.72). Intravenous administration of nitroglycerin significantly decreased systolic pressure (P <0.05) and increased arterial compliance (P < 0.01) without any change in mean arterial pressure.

The study provided evidence that, in patients with AOLL the reduced systemic arterial compliance contributes in the increase in systolic pressure largely.