Central blood pressure as a risk marker for cardiovascular complications

Abstract

Blood pressure differs along the vascular tree. Measurement of briachial artery cuff pressure may not correspond to aortic or carotid artery pressure, so called central pressure, which is better risk predictors for organ complications of hypertension. Central blood pressure is mostly affected by changes in arterial stiffness. Recent data show that despite similar effect on brachial arterial pressure antihypertensive drugs may differently affect central pressure. Ongoing clinical trials include measurement of central pressure to evaluate its significance.