Impaired synthesis of elastin in walls of aorta and large conduit arteries during early development as an initiating event in pathogenesis of systemic hypertension
CN Martyn, SE Greenwald - The Lancet, 1997 - thelancet.com
CN Martyn, SE Greenwald
The Lancet, 1997•thelancet.comThere is much evidence that people who had low birthweight tend to have higher blood
pressure in later life. However, the mechanisms that mediate this relation are unknown. We
argue that, in fetuses whose growth is impaired, synthesis of elastin in the walls of the aorta
and large arteries may be deficient, and that this deficiency would lead to permanent
changes in the mechanical properties of these vessels. Over a lifetime, such changes could
predispose an individual to higher blood pressure, increased left-ventricular mass, and …
pressure in later life. However, the mechanisms that mediate this relation are unknown. We
argue that, in fetuses whose growth is impaired, synthesis of elastin in the walls of the aorta
and large arteries may be deficient, and that this deficiency would lead to permanent
changes in the mechanical properties of these vessels. Over a lifetime, such changes could
predispose an individual to higher blood pressure, increased left-ventricular mass, and …
Summary
There is much evidence that people who had low birthweight tend to have higher blood pressure in later life. However, the mechanisms that mediate this relation are unknown. We argue that, in fetuses whose growth is impaired, synthesis of elastin in the walls of the aorta and large arteries may be deficient, and that this deficiency would lead to permanent changes in the mechanical properties of these vessels. Over a lifetime, such changes could predispose an individual to higher blood pressure, increased left-ventricular mass, and cardiovascular disease.
thelancet.com
