Arterial compliance in hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Alterations in the structure and function of large and small arterial vessels occur in hypertension and diabetes mellitus. These changes influence the tone and reactivity of the arteries, accelerate the atherogenic process and account for the vascular complications associated with the diseases. The widespread changes throughout the systemic circulation associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus can alter the compliance characteristics of the arterial blood vessels. Changes in arterial compliance can influence blood pressure, cardiac output and the impedance to left ventricular ejection. The altered compliance characteristics of the blood vessels may represent a marker for early vascular damage that could ultimately predispose to major vascular events. In providing a more direct measure of the effects of disease on vessel wall characteristics, changes in arterial compliance may identify subgroups of patients at high risk of developing future disease-related complications. They may also act as a sensitive parameter to assess the effects of therapeutic interventions on arterial structure and tone.