Abnormalities of vascular compliance in hypertension, aging and heart failure

Aim: Diastolic arterial pulse wave analysis and a modified Windkessel model were used to evaluate the vascular response to hypertension, heart failure and aging. Results: Compared to age-matched normal subjects, arterial compliance was reduced in patients with hypertension and heart failure, particularly in the vessels that contribute to resonances or oscillations in the pulse wave. In elderly subjects, the capacitive function of the arteries and compliance of the smaller arteries that contribute to oscillations were both reduced. Conclusion: These small-vessel structural or functional abnormalities may serve as a marker for disease and for the response to therapy.