Hypertension I: Structure of Small
Arteries in Hypertension
0662 Struijker-Boudier Arteriolar growth and vascular resistance Russell L. Prewitt
rlp@borg.evms.edu
Dear Dr. Struijker-Boudier:
� In your introduction you mention that it is not clear if arteriolar rarefaction is an adaptation to hypertension rather than a possible contributing factor. �We have shown that rarefaction develops after the pressure begins to rise. �The arterioles first go through a period of functional rarefaction where they are closed to flow but can be opened with vasodilators. �After more time, the closed vessels are lost completely. �This occurs in the SHR as well as renal hypertensive models where there is no genetic predisposition for rarefaction. �Both rarefaction and inward, eutrophic remodeling were not seen in the cremaster muscle of rats subjected to aortic coarctation, suggesting that pressure is the stimulus for both of these phenomena. �Would you agree that these results suggest that rarefaction is an adaptation to elevated pressure?
Fri Dec 11