Arterial distensibility in cardiovascular diseases

Several pathological conditions affecting the cardiovascular system are cha racterized by a dysfunction of the viscoelastic properties of the arterial vessels and, in particular, of arterial distensibility and compliance. Thes e alterations have pathophysiological and clinical relevance because both d istensibility and compliance play a key role in cardiovascular homeostatic control by modulating a number of important parameters, such as arterial im pedence, cardiac afterload and myocardial oxygen consumption. This paper, after briefly mentioning the technical progress recently achiev ed in the assessment of arterial compliance in man, will examine the altera tions in this vascular function which take place in hypertension, hyperchol esterolemia, diabetes and congestive heart failure. It will also discuss th e mechanisms potentially responsible for these alterations and the effects of cardiovascular drugs commonly employed in the treatment of these disease s.