Mechanical properties of the common carotid artery in Williams syndrome

Y Aggoun, D Sidi, BI Levy, S Lyonnet, J Kachaner… - Heart, 2000 - heart.bmj.com
Y Aggoun, D Sidi, BI Levy, S Lyonnet, J Kachaner, D Bonnet
Heart, 2000heart.bmj.com
OBJECTIVE To determine whether arterial wall hypertrophy in elastic arteries was
associated with alteration in their mechanical properties in young patients with Williams
syndrome. METHODS Arterial pressure and intima–media thickness, cross sectional
compliance, distensibility, circumferential wall stress, and incremental elastic modulus of the
common carotid artery were measured non-invasively in 21 Williams patients (mean (SD)
age 8.5 (4) years) and 21 children of similar age. RESULTS Systolic and diastolic blood …
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether arterial wall hypertrophy in elastic arteries was associated with alteration in their mechanical properties in young patients with Williams syndrome.
METHODS
Arterial pressure and intima–media thickness, cross sectional compliance, distensibility, circumferential wall stress, and incremental elastic modulus of the common carotid artery were measured non-invasively in 21 Williams patients (mean (SD) age 8.5 (4) years) and 21 children of similar age.
RESULTS
Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in Williams patients (125/66v 113/60 mm Hg, p < 0.05). The mean (SD) intima–media thickness was increased in Williams patients, at 0.6 (0.07) v 0.5 (0.03) mm (p < 0.001). Normotensive Williams patients had a lower circumferential wall stress (2.1 (0.5) v 3.0 (0.7) mm Hg, p < 0.01), a higher distensibility (1.1 (0.3) v 0.8 (0.3) mm Hg−1.10−2, p < 0.01), similar cross sectional compliance (0.14 (0.04) v 0.15 (0.05) mm2.mm Hg−1, p > 0.05), and lower incremental elastic modulus (7.4 (2.0) v 14.0 (5.0) mm Hg.102; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The compliance of the large elastic arteries is not modified in Williams syndrome, even though increased intima–media thickness and lower arterial stiffness are consistent features. Therefore systemic hypertension cannot be attributed to impaired compliance of the arterial tree in this condition.
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