Table 10 Hemodynamic responses to autonomic challenges and arterial stiffness parameters

Tsai et al. [37]

2003

Mental stress test (SCWT)

AIx (corrected for heart rate at 75 bpm)

TAC

Continuous BP and ECG measurements in a seated position, comprising

1. 6 min resting period (baseline)

2. 6 min mental stress test (SCWT)

3. 6 min recovery period

Three pairs of cardiac impedance (SV and TPR) and AIx (augmentation pressure/PP × 100%) measurements were taken and averaged during each of the three testing phases

TAC (SV/PP)

No specific analysis on association between changes in hemodynamic measurements and AIx and TAC was reported

In both normotensive and hypertensive groups, A concomitant increase in SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, HR and CO, with a decrease in TAC but not on AIx

Higher SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, HR, TPR, and adjusted AIx, but lower compliance in mildly hypertensive patients as compared to normotensive subjects

Tikkakoski et al. [46]

2013

HUT

Aortic pulse pressure, aortic reflection time and AIx (corrected for heart rate at 75 bpm)

PWV

Continuous measurements of hemodynamic measurements for three consecutive 5 min periods:

i. resting supine on the tilt table

ii. HUT to 60 

iii. tilt table was returned to the horizontal position

The changes in response to HUT were calculated as differences in the mean values between the last three supine minutes preceding the head up tilt and the last 3 min during the head up tilt (when the signal was most stable)

Aortic pulse pressure, aortic reflection time and AIx were determined from the derived continuous aortic blood pressure waveform

PWV was derived from the body electrical impedance changes obtained using the whole-body impedance cardiography device

No specific analysis on association between changes in hemodynamic measurements and aortic stiffness parameters was reported

In hypertensive patients with significantly higher supine PWV and SVRI, aortic SBP, and aortic PP decreased less, heart rate increased less, while aortic DBP and SVRI increased more during HUT, compared to normotensive individuals

AIx was reduced during HUT in spite of a parallel increase in SVR but were not statistically significantly different between two groups after adjusted analysis

Koletsos et al. [50]

2019

Handgrip test

cf-PWV

AIx (corrected for heart rate at 75 bpm)

Continuous measurements of BP and HR during

(i) baseline in a seated position;

(ii) handgrip test: three maximal isometric handgrip contractions with the dominant hand, with a 60 s rest between each measurement (maximal voluntary contraction, MVC = the highest of the three readings);

(iii) 3 min submaximal handgrip exercise test (at 30% of MVC); and

(iv) 3 min recovery

SBP and DBP, and HR during baseline, handgrip exercise (averaged over the 3 min, and per minute assessments, that is, first, second, and third minute of exercise), and recovery were assessed. TPR was calculated and averaged per testing period

cf-PWV in supine position

AIx (corrected for heart rate at 75 bpm) in supine position

BP rise during the first minute of isometric exercise was positively associated with resting PWV, while TPR response during exercise was positivity correlated with central/aortic SBP and DBP, AIx and PWV

Central/aortic BP, PWV and AIx were significantly higher in true hypertensive patients than normotensive individuals

During exercise, individuals with true hypertensive exhibited a greater SBP/DBP response (increase) than normotensive individuals. HR did not differ significantly among groups in the respective testing periods

No statistically significant difference in TPR among groups at baseline. During exercise, the true hypertensive patients showed significantly increased TPR