Clinical and experimental hypertension : CHE
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Clin. Exp. Hypertens. · Nov 1993
ReviewEarly detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Subclinical atherosclerosis can be non-invasively detected via calcifications, thickening and stiffening of arteries. Coronary calcifications seen with ultrafast computed tomography are frequent in hypertension or hypercholesterolemia and synonymous of coronary atherosis but not of coronary stenosis. Wall thickening detectable by extracoronary ultrasonography may be characterized by an intimamedia thickening shown in hypertension or by a focalized plaque whose the presence in the aortic or femoral level seem influenced by systolic pressure. ⋯ Wall stiffening, which reflects sclerosis, is detected by pulse wave velocity. Its increase in hypertension may be an indicator of atherosclerosis and can be reversed by certain antihypertensive agents. Clinical care of at risk individuals might profit from subclinical atherosclerosis which adds objectivity and sensitivity in the individualization of risk and the decision to treat.