Reactive hyperemic pre-ejection shear stress of brachial artery determines endothelial function in patients with untreated essential hypertension

The aim of this study was to identify which phase of wall shear stress (SS) augmentation during reactive hyperemia (RH) is the crucial determinant of endothelial reactivity. Fifty-three patients with untreated essential hypertension were enrolled. A 7.5-MHz linear array transducer was used to record the 2D images and Doppler flow signals of brachial artery at baseline and during RH. Wall SS and flow-mediated vasodilation were calculated sequentially. The result of this study demonstrated that augmentation of wall SS at end-diastolic phase during peak RH is the main rheologic determinant of endothelial function in patients with untreated essential hypertension.