Increased arterial pulse wave reflections and pulsatile energy loss in acute hypertension.

Increased afterload is normally associated with hypertension. The work of the heart increases to overcome this load, but whether this is beneficial for pulse transmission has not been examined. Experimental measurements were obtained in induced acute hypertension in dogs. Results show that increased pulse wave reflections compound the increase in arterial blood pressure, and the increased work output by the left ventricle is compromised by the reduced efficiency of pulsatile energy transmission to organ vascular beds.