ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY AND WAVE REFLECTIONS

Studies of pulsatile arterial hemodynamics have emphasized that the pu lsatile component of pulse pressure has two important characteristics: (i) it increases from central to peripheral arteries for a similar va lue of mean arterial pressure, and (ii) it is dominantly influenced by the amplitude and timing of the backward pressure wave. Although thes e important aspects of wave reflections have been poorly investigated in the field of hypertension, they may be easily studied noninvasively in humans on the basis of the analysis of the pulse wave contour of c arotid and aortic blood pressure. Increased wave reflections returning toward the thoracic aorta during systole may have deleterious consequ ences on the structure and function of the heart. Some (but not all) a ntihypertensive drugs may contribute to decrease and/or to delay wave reflections in association with blood pressure reduction.