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The role of nitric oxide in the large artery response to mental stress.
Author(s) -
Davies Thomas,
Campbell Ross,
White Michael,
Frenneaux Michael
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a895-a
Subject(s) - cardiology , arterial stiffness , medicine , nitric oxide , radial artery , blood pressure , pulse pressure , aortic pressure , applanation tonometry , hemodynamics , artery
Arterial dysfunction is implicated in the development of LV dysfunction, and myocardial ischemia and infarction. Acute mental stress (AMS) increases aortic stiffness, pulse wave reflections and alters large artery endothelial function. We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the large artery responses to AMS. Haemodynamic measurements were obtained using a bio‐impedance monitor (TaskForce Monitor). Radial artery pressure waveforms were acquired using applanation tonometry and corresponding central waveforms were generated using pulse wave analysis (Sphygmocor). In control, AMS increased derived central systolic pressure (CSBP), heart rate corrected augmentation index (AI), and arterial load (EA), whilst decreasing total peripheral resistance (TPR). L‐NMMA significantly increased CSBP, AI, EA and TPR at rest but had no influence on the magnitude of change in response to stress, indicating that NO has a significant basal role but little additional influence during AMS.