Abstract
As the noninvasive indices of arteriosclerosis, the pulse wave velocity and the volume elasticity have been usually used. But there is a possibility that these indices are influenced by the functional factors as well as organic factors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the validity and the limitation in the use of these parameters as the indices of arteriosclerosis.
The subjects were composed of 86 younger cases with normotension, 18 younger cases with hypotension and 37 old-aged cases with normotension. Hemodynamic analysis was performed in supine position with Wezler's method. Furthermore, in younger hypotensive cases, such analysis was performed at active standing position to examine the influence of the tonus of the autonomic nerve on the pulse wave velocity and the volume elasticity.
In the relation between the pulse wave velocity and the total peripheral resistance of the normotensive cases in supine position, the pulse wave velocity showed a tendency to increase in propotion to the total peripheral resistance with a little dispersion, and the value of the pulse wave velocity was at higher level in the old-aged group than its corresponding value to the total peripheral resistance in the younger goup. The same relation was appreciated in the relation between the volume elasticity and the total peripheral resistance. And the results that some cases of the younger group showed the considerable high value of the pulse wave velocity, and that the pulse wave velocity had the moderate positive correlation to the total peripheral resistance which is influenced by functional and organic changes suggest that the pulse wave velocity and the volume elasticity were altered by the organic and functional factors. In the active, standing position in hypotensive younger cases who had no clinical sign of arteriosclerosis, the pulse wave velocity increased obviously. Changes in cardiac output little influenced upon the pulse wave velocity and the volume elasticity.
In conclusion, the volume elasticity and the pulse wave velocity are the indices of vascular rigidity. But the rigidity is influenced by the functional factors as well as the organic factors, and especially the pulse wave velocity is affected by the vascular rigidity, the intravascular pressure and many other factors. Consequently it is necessary to estimate these indices carefully.
