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Effect of cadralazine on brachial artery hemodynamics and forearm venous tone in essential hypertension
Author(s) -
Bouthier J A,
Safar M E,
Curien N D,
London G M,
Levenson J A,
Simon A C
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1986.14
Subject(s) - brachial artery , forearm , medicine , hemodynamics , cardiology , vascular resistance , compliance (psychology) , blood flow , blood pressure , vasodilation , essential hypertension , artery , anesthesia , anatomy , psychology , social psychology
Forearm venous tone and brachial artery hemodynamics, including determinations of the arterial diameter and compliance by the use of pulsed Doppler systems, were measured in 16 patients with sustained essential hypertension before and after acute oral cadralazine dosing. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased, whereas heart rate increased. Brachial artery diameter and vascular resistance decreased, respectively, from 0.501 ± 0.015 to 0.485 ± 0.015 cm (P < 0.001) and from 124.8 ± 13.8 to 99.3 ± 11.9 mm Hg/ml · sec (P < 0.01). Blood flow velocity increased (P < 0.05) but volumic flow, pulse wave velocity, and brachial artery compliance did not change. Forearm venous tone increased but the increase was inversely related to the degree of arteriolar vasodilatation. Our results indicate that, with cadralazine, (1) forearm vascular resistance decreased while forearm blood flow was unchanged, (2) the dilatation of small arteries contrasted with a significant reduction in the diameter of the large brachial artery, and (3) the decrease in blood pressure was associated with a lack of increase in arterial compliance and changes in venous tone. This suggests an overriding influence of the activation of the autonomic nervous system on the action of cadralazine on large arteries and veins. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1986) 39, 82–88; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1986.14