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The Microcirculation and Hypertension

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Special Issues in Hypertension

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Abstract

The role of the microcirculation is increasingly being recognized in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. It is the major site of control of vascular resistance. In addition, the microcirculation is a major site of damage in most target organs of cardiovascular disease, such as the heart, brain, and kidney. In this chapter, we review the main methods used to assess the microcirculation. These methods include intravital microscopy, video capillaroscopy, Doppler flowmetry, and the use of isolated small arteries. Recently, important advances have been made in retinal microvascular imaging. These methods have led to important new insights in the role of changes in microcirculation both as a cause and a consequence of hypertension. We propose a major role for a defect in angiogenesis as a cause of microvascular rarefaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    H. A. J. Struijker-Boudier & Bart F. J. Heijnen

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  1. H. A. J. Struijker-Boudier
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  2. Bart F. J. Heijnen
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Correspondence to H. A. J. Struijker-Boudier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Ce, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon

    Adel E. Berbari

  2. Clinica Medica, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Università di Milano-Bicocca, V .Donizetti 106, Milano, Monza, 20133, Italy

    Giuseppe Mancia

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Struijker-Boudier, H.A.J., Heijnen, B.F. (2012). The Microcirculation and Hypertension. In: Berbari, A., Mancia, G. (eds) Special Issues in Hypertension. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2601-8_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2601-8_17

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