Sex determines cardiovascular hemodynamics in hypertension

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sex on cardiovascular henlodynamics and heart renlodeling in 144 patierits with arterial hypertensifpn that underwent: (1) echocardiography (that is, indices of left ventricular diastolic function: e', E/e'), (2) impedance cardiography (that is, systemic vascular resistance (59R), total artery compliance (TAC) and Heather index (HI)) and (3) applanation tonornetry (augmentation index (Al), central systolic arid diastolic blood pressure (CSBP, CDBP), central pulse pressure (CPP)). VVomen, in comparison with men, revealed to have: (1) stiffer arteries lower TAC (1.93 +/- 0.55 vs 2.16 +/- 0.59 ml per rnm Hy; P=0.025), higher CSBP (128.7 +/- 14.9 vs 123.4 +/- 13.2 n-irn Hy; P=0.036), CPP (39.9 +/- 9.5 vs 33.8 +/- 9.0 mm Hy; P= 0.0002), AI (31.5 +/- 8.7 vs 17.5 +/- 12.7%; P < 0.00001), SVR (1257.6 +/- 305.6 vs 1091.2 +/- 240.7 dyn x sxcm(-5); P=0.002) and (2) higher left ventricular performance-HI (16.3 +/- 4.3 vs 11.7 +/- 32 Ohm xs(2); P < 0.00001). In women CSBP,CPP and AI were more clearly associated with left ventricular filling pressure (e') (r= - 0.39, r= -0.45, r=- 0.44, P <0.01; respectively). These relations were remarkably weaker in men Hypertensive wornen characterized with lower large artery. compliance, nlore pronounced augnientation of central blood pressure and more distinctive association of central blood pressure with left ventricular diastolic function. Sex differences in cardiovascular function can impact the individualized management of arterial hypertension.