Zusammenfassung

Arterial stiffness is a major determinant of the age-related increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) affords a unique opportunity to determine if the difference in peripheral SBP that developed between the intensive treatment group (target SBP < 120 mm Hg) and the usual care group (target SBP < 140 mm Hg) – an average delta of 14.8 mm Hg – will be accompanied by significant differences in measures of vascular stiffness (aortic pulse wave velocity, PWV) and central (aortic) BP. In a subset of 648 SPRINT participants, PWV and pulse wave analysis measures were completed prior to randomization and annually throughout three years of follow-up. Results will be presented pertaining to the hypothesis that measures of vascular stiffness at year 3 will be predictive of the main SPRINT outcomes independent of the achieved peripheral SBP.