[Importance of central and peripheral blood pressure for adjustment of arterial hypertension].

Hypertension is one of the most frequent cardiovascular diseases in industrial countries. Traditionally blood pressure measurements are obtained using pressure cuffs from the upper limbs. There is increasing evidence supporting the clinical value of the central blood pressure. In comparison to peripheral blood pressure, central blood pressure more strongly predicts future cardiovascular events. In addition, antihypertensive treatment lowers peripheral and central blood pressure differently. This effect may contribute to the distinct effects on cardiovascular mortality observed between different antihypertensive drugs. Increasingly, commercially available devices are in use for non-invasive measurement of central hemodynamic parameters. In the present overview the physiological and pathophysiological role of central blood pressure in hypertension is summarized. Non-invasive techniques are illustrated and the predictive value of central blood pressure in hypertension is discussed.