An observational cohort study of 3 units versus 5 units slow intravenous bolus oxytocin in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery.

This study sought to compare postpartum blood loss and maternal outcomes after 3IU and 5IU oxytocin at elective caesarean delivery. In a prospective observational study, 73 women undergoing elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthetic received a slow I.V. injection of either 3IU (n = 35) or 5IU (n = 38) oxytocin after delivery. The main outcome was gravimetrically measured 24-hour postpartum blood loss with a non-inferiority margin of 300 mL. Uterine tone, phenylephrine dose, emesis and hypotension after oxytocin administration were secondary outcomes. Gravimetric postpartum blood loss was lower in the 3IU group (-58.8 mL [95% CI: -212.1, 94.3]) after adjusting for BMI, pre-delivery vasopressor dose, parity, and risk of uterine atony, with the upper confidence limit below the 300 mL margin in support of non-inferiority. Patients receiving 3IU had a higher (non-significant) rate of having post-delivery phenylephrine to treat hypotension (RR = 1.59 [95% CI: 0.97, 2.63]), but of those treated, the 3IU group required significantly less (-427 mcg [95% CI: -740, -114]). The 3IU group had a lower prevalence of vomiting compared to those receiving 5IU (6% versus 24%; P = 0.047). Administration of 3IU oxytocin was non-inferior compared to standard 5IU with respect to blood loss in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery.

Feasibility of a multi-modal exercise program on cognition in older adults with Type 2 diabetes - a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of dementia. We aimed to determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of exercise on cognition and brain structure in people with T2D. METHODS: A 6-month pilot parallel RCT of a progressive aerobic- and resistance-training program versus a gentle movement control group in people with T2D aged 50-75 years (n = 50) at the University of Tasmania, Australia. Assessors were blinded to group allocation. Brain volume (total, white matter, hippocampus), cortical thickness and white matter microstructure (fractional anisotrophy and mean diffusivity) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging, and cognition using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Study design was assessed by any changes (during the pilot or recommended) to the protocol, recruitment by numbers screened and time to enrol 50 participants; randomisation by similarity of characteristics in groups at baseline, adherence by exercise class attendance; safety by number and description of adverse events and retention by numbers withdrawn. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 66.2 (SD 4.9) years and 48% were women. There were no changes to the design during the study. A total of 114 people were screened for eligibility, with 50 participants with T2D enrolled over 8 months. Forty-seven participants (94%) completed the study (23 of 24 controls; 24 of 26 in the intervention group). Baseline characteristics were reasonably balanced between groups. Exercise class attendance was 79% for the intervention and 75% for the control group. There were 6 serious adverse events assessed as not or unlikely to be due to the intervention. Effect sizes for each outcome variable are provided. CONCLUSION: This study supports the feasibility of a large scale RCT to test the benefits of multi-modal exercise to prevent cognitive decline in people with T2D. Design changes to the future trial are provided. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR 12614000222640 ; Registered 3/3/2014; First participant enrolled 26/6/2014, study screening commenced 1/9/2014; Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry.

Brachial-to-radial systolic blood pressure amplification in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Brachial-to-radial-systolic blood pressure amplification (Bra-Rad-SBPAmp) can affect central SBP estimated by radial tonometry. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have vascular irregularities that may alter Bra-Rad-SBPAmp. By comparing T2DM with non-diabetic controls, we aimed to determine the (1) magnitude of Bra-Rad-SBPAmp; (2) haemodynamic factors related to Bra-Rad-SBPAmp; and (3) effect of Bra-Rad-SBPAmp on estimated central SBP. Twenty T2DM (64±8 years) and 20 non-diabetic controls (60±8 years; 50% male both) underwent simultaneous cuff deflation and two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the brachial and radial arteries. The first Korotkoff sound (denoting SBP) was identified from the first inflection point of Doppler flow during cuff deflation. Bra-Rad-SBPAmp was calculated by radial minus brachial SBP. Upper limb and systemic haemodynamics were recorded by tonometry and ultrasound. Radial SBP was higher than brachial SBP for T2DM (136±19 vs 127±17 mm Hg; P<0.001) and non-diabetic controls (135±12 vs 121±11 mm Hg; P<0.001), but Bra-Rad-SBPAmp was significantly lower in T2DM (9±8 vs 14±7 mm Hg; P=0.042). The product of brachial mean flow velocity × brachial diameter was inversely and independently correlated with Bra-Rad-SBPAmp in T2DM (ß=-0.033 95% confidence interval -0.063 to -0.004, P=0.030). When radial waveforms were calibrated using radial, compared with brachial SBP, central SBP was significantly higher in both groups (T2DM, 116±13 vs 125±15 mm Hg; and controls, 112±10 vs 124±11 mm Hg; P<0.001 both) and there was a significant increase in the number of participants classified with 'central hypertension' (SBP⩾130 mm Hg; P=0.004). Compared with non-diabetic controls, Bra-Rad-SBPAmp is significantly lower in T2DM. Regardless of disease status, radial SBP is higher than brachial SBP and this results in underestimation of central SBP using brachial-BP-calibrated radial tonometry.

Exercise blood pressure: clinical relevance and correct measurement.

Blood pressure (BP) is a mandatory safety measure during graded intensity clinical exercise stress testing. While it is generally accepted that exercise hypotension is a poor prognostic sign linked to severe cardiac dysfunction, recent meta-analysis data also implicate excessive rises in submaximal exercise BP with adverse cardiovascular events and mortality, irrespective of resting BP. Although more data is needed to derive submaximal normative BP thresholds, the association of a hypertensive response to exercise with increased cardiovascular risk may be due to underlying hypertension that has gone unnoticed by conventional resting BP screening methods. Delayed BP decline during recovery is also associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Thus, above and beyond being used as a routine safety measure during stress testing, exercise (and recovery) BP may be useful for identifying high-risk individuals and also as an aid to optimise care through appropriate follow-up after exercise stress testing. Accordingly, careful attention should be paid to correct measurement of exercise stress test BP (before, during and after exercise) using a standardised approach with trained operators and validated BP monitoring equipment (manual or automated). Recommendations for exercise BP measurement based on consolidated international guidelines and expert consensus are presented in this review.

Cardiovascular effects of methacholine-induced airway obstruction in man.

Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of death in people with chronic respiratory disease. The cause of this association has been attributed to airway obstruction leading to cardiovascular dysfunction (increased central blood pressure (BP) and aortic stiffness). However, this has never been experimentally tested. Methacholine is routinely used to stimulate airway function changes that mimic airway pathology. This study aimed to determine the cardiovascular effects of methacholine-induced airway obstruction. Fifteen healthy young adults (aged 22.9±2.5 years; 4 male; mean±S.D.) underwent a bronchial challenge test (randomized, blinded, cross-over design) in which they received nebulized methacholine inhalation in serially increasing concentrations (from 0.39 to 25 mg/ml) or saline (0.9%; control) on two separate days. Bronchoconstriction was assessed by forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and cardiovascular effects by augmentation index, brachial BP, central BP, heart rate and aortic stiffness. Methacholine significantly decreased FEV1 from baseline to peak inhaled concentration compared with saline (-0.48±0.34 vs. -0.07±0.16 L; p<0.001), but there was no between-group change in augmentation index (1.6±7.0 vs. 3.7±10.2% p=0.49), brachial systolic BP (-3.3±7.6 vs. -4.7±5.7 mmHg; p=0.59), central systolic BP (-1.1±5.2 vs. -0.3±5.5 mmHg; p=0.73), heart rate (0.4±7.1 vs. -0.8±6.6 bpm; p=0.45) or aortic stiffness (0.2±1.3 vs. 0.8±1.8 m/s; p=0.20; n=12). Thus, methacholine induced airway obstruction does not acutely change brachial BP or central haemodynamics. This finding refutes the notion that airway obstruction per se leads to cardiovascular dysfunction, at least in healthy individuals in the acute setting.

Ambulatory and central haemodynamics during progressive ascent to high-altitude and associated hypoxia.

High-altitude hypoxia causes major cardiovascular changes, which may result in raised resting brachial blood pressure (BP). However, the effect of high-altitude hypoxia on more sensitive measures of BP control (such as 24 h ambulatory BP and resting central BP) is largely unknown. This study aimed to assess this and compare high-altitude responses to resting brachial BP, as well as determine the haemodynamic correlates of acute mountain sickness (AMS) during a progressive trekking ascent to high-altitude. Measures of oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), 24 h ambulatory BP, resting brachial and central BP (Pulsecor) were recorded in 10 adults (aged 27±4, 30% male) during a 9-day trek to Mount Everest base camp, Nepal. Data were recorded at sea level (stage 1; <450 m above sea level (ASL)) and at progressive ascension to 3440 m ASL (stage 2), 4350 m ASL (stage 3) and 5164 m ASL (stage 4). The Lake Louise score (LLS) was used to quantify AMS symptoms. Total LLS increased stepwise from sea level to stage 4 (0.3±0.7 vs 4.4±2.0, P=0.012), whereas oxygen saturation decreased to 77±9% (P=0.001). The highest recordings of 24 h ambulatory, daytime, night time, brachial and central systolic BP and diastolic BP were achieved at stage 3, which were significantly greater than at sea level (P<0.005 for all). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory heart rate (HR) and night HR correlated with oxygen saturation (r=-0.741 and -0.608, both P<0.001) and total LLS (r=0.648 and r=0.493, both P<0.001). We conclude that 24 h ambulatory BP, central BP and HR are elevated during high-altitude hypoxia, but AMS symptoms are only related to tachycardia.

Waiting a few extra minutes before measuring blood pressure has potentially important clinical and research ramifications.

Office blood pressure (BP) is recommended to be measured after 5 min of seated rest, but it may decrease for 10 min of seated rest. This study aimed to determine the change (and its clinical relevance) in brachial and central BP from 5 to 10 min of seated rest. Office brachial and central BP (measured after 5 and 10 min), left ventricular (LV) mass index, 7-day home and ambulatory BP were measured in 250 participants with treated hypertension. Office brachial and central BP were significantly lower at 10-min compared with 5-min BP (P<0.001). Seven-day home systolic BP (SBP) was significantly lower than office SBP measured at 5 min (P<0.001), but was similar to office SBP at 10 min (P=0.511). From 5 to 10 min, the percentage of participants with controlled BP increased and the percentage of participants with high central pulse pressure (PP) decreased (P<0.001). Moreover, brachial and central PP were significantly correlated with LV mass index measured at 10 min (r=0.171, P=0.006 and r=0.139, P=0.027, respectively), but not at 5 min (r=0.115, P=0.068 and r=0.084, P=0.185, respectively). BP recorded after 10 min is more representative of true BP control. These findings have relevance to appropriate diagnosis of hypertension and design of clinical trials.

Osteoarthritis bone marrow lesions at the knee and large artery characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence to suggest vascular involvement in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The relationship between large artery characteristics and pathogenesis of OA has not been investigated and was the aim of this study. DESIGN: Large artery characteristics (i.e., aortic stiffness, brachial and central blood pressure (BP) variables) and bone marrow lesions (BMLs; measured by magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate index of OA) were recorded in 208 participants (aged 63 ± 7 years; mean ± SD) with symptomatic knee OA. Relationships between large artery characteristics and BML were assessed by multiple regression adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of BML presence in the study population (70%), but no significant difference between participants with and without BML for all large artery and BP variables (P > 0.05 all). Furthermore, there were no significant relationships between BML size and aortic stiffness (r = -0.033, P = 0.71), central pulse pressure (r = 0.028, P = 0.74), augmentation index (r = 0.125, P = 0.14), brachial pulse pressure (r = 0.005, P = 0.95) or brachial systolic BP (r = -0.066, P = 0.44). When participants were stratified according to high or low aortic stiffness, there was no significant difference between groups regarding the proportion of those with a BML (64% vs. 70% respectively; P = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Variables indicative of large artery characteristics are not significantly correlated with BML size or presence in people with symptomatic knee OA. Thus, large artery characteristics may not have a causative influence in the development of OA, but this needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.

Central blood pressure in the management of hypertension: soon reaching the goal?

Blood pressure (BP) is conventionally measured by cuff at the brachial artery as an indication of pressure experienced by the organs. However, individual variation in pulse pressure amplification means that brachial cuff BP may be a poor representation of true central BP. Estimation of central BP is now possible using non-invasive methods that are amenable for widespread use. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the potential value of central BP in hypertension management. The major lines of evidence that support the use of central BP as a clinical tool include the: (1) major discrepancies in central BP among people with similar brachial BP; (2) independent relationship of central BP with end-organ damage; (3) independent relationship of central BP with cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality; (4) differential central and brachial BP responses to antihypertensive medications and; (5) improvements in end-organ damage after therapy more strongly relate to central than brachial BP. Despite all this, important evidence gaps relating to clinical use of central BP need fulfilling. These include the lack of central BP reference values and randomized, controlled studies to determine if: (1) central BP can help with diagnostic/therapeutic decisions and; (2) CV outcome is improved by targeting therapy towards lowering central BP levels. Additional challenges such as standardization of central BP methods, and understanding which patients are most likely to benefit from central BP monitoring also need to be determined. Overall, the future for central BP as a worthwhile clinical instrument appears positive, but there is much to be done.

Exercise aortic stiffness: reproducibility and relation to end-organ damage in men.

Resting aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity; aortic PWV (aPWV)) independently predicts end-organ damage and mortality. Exercise haemodynamics have been shown to unmask cardiovascular abnormalities, otherwise undetectable at rest, but the response of aPWV to exercise has never been examined. This study aimed to develop a technique to measure exercise aPWV, determine reproducibility and relation to subclinical end-organ damage with aging. Healthy younger (n=17, 30±8 years) and older (n=18, 54±8 years) untreated men underwent cardiovascular assessment at rest and during low intensity semirecumbent cycling. Tonometry was used to assess aPWV and central blood pressure (BP). All participants underwent 24 h ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring. Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Fifteen participants had testing repeated within 28±18 days. Exercise aPWV had good reproducibility (mean difference=-0.35±0.61 m s(-1), intraclass correlations=0.874, P<0.001) and was increased 26% above resting values in younger men (5.8±0.9 vs 7.3±1.6 m s(-1), P<0.001) and 19% above resting values in older men (6.3±1.0 vs 7.4±0.9 m s(-1), P<0.001). Exercise, but not resting, aPWV was significantly correlated with eGFR in older men (r=-0.633, P=0.005), and this was maintained after correction for age, body mass index and daytime systolic ABP (r=-0.656, P=0.008). Conversely, in younger men there was no significant association between eGFR and aPWV either at rest (r=-0.031, P=0.906) or during exercise (r=-0.117, P=0.655). Exercise aPWV is reproducible and significantly associated with kidney function in healthy older men. Further studies to determine the physiology and clinical relevance of raised exercise aPWV are warranted.

Persistent elevation of central pulse pressure during postural stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

An abnormal increase or decrease in blood pressure (BP) in response to postural stress is associated with increased risk of developing hypertension and stroke. However, the haemodynamic responses contributing to changes in central BP with postural stress are not well characterised. We aimed to determine this in controls compared to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whom we hypothesised would have an abnormal postural response. 41 participants (20 control, 21 T2DM) underwent measurement of brachial and central BP (by radial tonometry), with simultaneous bioimpedance cardiography (to determine stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO)) and heart rate variability in seated and standing postures. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR; mean arterial pressure/CO), and arterial elastance (EA; end systolic pressure/SV) were calculated. Postural changes were defined as seated minus standing values. Central pulse pressure (PP) was higher in patients with T2DM and did not change from seated-to-standing positions, whereas there was a significant decrease upon standing in controls (P<0.05). The change in central systolic BP (SBP) correlated with change in SVR and EA in controls (r=0.67 and 0.68, P<0.05, respectively), but not in patients with T2DM (r=-0.05 and r=0.03, P>0.05, respectively). SV was the only significant correlate of change in central SBP in T2DM patients (r=0.62, P<0.05) and this was not observed in controls (r=-0.08 P>0.05). We conclude that central haemodynamic responses to postural stress are altered in patients with T2DM and result in persistent elevation of central PP while standing. This may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk associated with T2DM.

Arterial stiffness, central blood pressure and body size in health and disease.

BACKGROUND: Body size is associated with increased brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and aortic stiffness. The aims of this study were to determine the relationships between central SBP and body size (determined by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist/hip ratio) in health and disease. We also sought to determine if aortic stiffness was correlated with body size, independent of BP. METHODS: BMI, brachial BP and estimated central SBP (by SphygmoCor and radial P2) were recorded in controls (n=228), patients with diabetes (n=211), coronary artery disease (n=184) and end-stage kidney disease (n=68). Additional measures of waist circumference and arterial stiffness (aortic and brachial pulse wave velocity (PWV)) were recorded in a subgroup of 75 controls (aged 51 ± 12 years) who were carefully screened for factors affecting vascular function. RESULTS: BMI was associated with brachial (r=0.30; P<0.001) and central SBP (r=0.29; P<0.001) in the 228 controls, but not the patient populations (r<0.13; P>0.15 for all comparisons). In the control subgroup, waist circumference was also significantly correlated with brachial SBP (r=0.29; P=0.01), but not central SBP (r=0.22; P=0.07). Independent predictors of aortic PWV in the control subgroup were brachial SBP (ß=0.43; P<0.001), age (ß=0.37; P<0.001), waist circumference (ß=0.39; P=0.02) and female sex (ß=-0.24; P=0.03), but not BMI. CONCLUSION: In health, there are parallel increases in central and brachial SBP as BMI increases, but these relationships are not observed in the presence of chronic disease. Moreover, BP is a stronger correlate of arterial stiffness than body size.

Contribution of nitric oxide to the blood pressure and arterial responses to exercise in humans.

An exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise predicts future cardiovascular risk. The mechanisms underlying exercise-induced hypertension remain unclear, although endothelial dysfunction and elevated arterial stiffness may contribute. Given the association between reductions in nitric oxide (NO) and vascular dysfunction, we sought to determine whether acute inhibition of NO synthase with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) would lead to exaggerated BP responses to maximal exercise and attenuate exercise-induced reductions in arterial stiffness. In 10 healthy subjects (31±5 years), BP and heart rate (HR) were measured before, during and after an incremental cycling exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max). Trials were performed with placebo (saline) or intravenous infusion of L-NMMA on separate days in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Central (aortic) and peripheral (femoral) arterial stiffness were assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV). BP was increased with L-NMMA at rest and during sub-maximal exercise, but not at maximal exercise (mean BP 117±5 vs 118±8 mm Hg, saline vs L-NMMA, P>0.05). Furthermore, L-NMMA had no influence on exercising HR or VO(2)max (P<0.05). Notably, aortic PWV was similarly increased after exercise with either saline or L-NMMA (P<0.05), whereas postexercise decreases in femoral PWV were attenuated with L-NMMA (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that NO is an important contributor to reductions in femoral artery stiffness after maximal exercise in healthy individuals. Furthermore, acute pharmacological inhibition of NO synthase causes augmented BP responses to sub-maximal exercise, but does not lead to exaggerated BP responses to maximal exercise or reduce maximal oxygen consumption.

The effect of a high-fat meal on postprandial arterial stiffness in men with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT: Postprandial dysmetabolism is emerging as an important cardiovascular risk factor. Augmentation index (AIx) is a measure of systemic arterial stiffness and independently predicts cardiovascular outcome. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a standardized high-fat meal on metabolic parameters and AIx in 1) lean, 2) obese nondiabetic, and 3) subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Male subjects (lean, n = 8; obese, n = 10; and T2DM, n = 10) were studied for 6 h after a high-fat meal and water control. Glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and AIx (radial applanation tonometry) were measured serially to determine the incremental area under the curve (iAUC). RESULTS: AIx decreased in all three groups after a high-fat meal. A greater overall postprandial reduction in AIx was seen in lean and T2DM compared with obese subjects (iAUC, 2251 +/- 1204, 2764 +/- 1102, and 1187 +/- 429% . min, respectively; P < 0.05). The time to return to baseline AIx was significantly delayed in subjects with T2DM (297 +/- 68 min) compared with lean subjects (161 +/- 88 min; P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between iAUC AIx and iAUC triglycerides (r = 0.50; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with an attenuated overall postprandial decrease in AIx. Subjects with T2DM have a preserved, but significantly prolonged, reduction in AIx after a high-fat meal. The correlation between AIx and triglycerides suggests that postprandial dysmetabolism may impact on vascular dynamics. The markedly different response observed in the obese subjects compared with those with T2DM was unexpected and warrants additional evaluation.

Radial pressure waveform dP/dt max is a poor indicator of left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: The first derivative of left ventricular (LV) pressure over time (dP/dt max) is a marker of LV systolic function that can be assessed during cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. Radial artery dP/dt max has been proposed as a possible marker of LV systolic function and we sought to test this hypothesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared simultaneously recorded radial dP/dt max (by high-fidelity tonometry) with LV dP/dt max (by high-fidelity catheter and echocardiography parameters analogous to LV dP/dt max). In study 1, beat-to-beat radial dP/dt max and LV dP/dt max were recorded at rest and during supine exercise in 12 males (aged 61 +/- 12 years) undergoing cardiac catheterization. In study 2, 2D-echocardiography and radial dP/dt max were recorded in 54 patients (separate to study 1; 39 men; aged 64 +/- 10 years) at baseline and peak dobutamine-induced stress. Three basal septum measures were taken as being analogous to LV dP/dt max: 1. Peak systolic strain rate; 2. Strain rate (SR-dP/dt max) during isovolumic contraction (IVCT) and; 3. Tissue velocity during IVCT. RESULTS: In study 1 there was a significant difference between resting LV dP/dt max (1461 +/- 383 mmHg s(-1)) and radial dP/dt max (1182 +/- 319 mmHg s(-1); P < 0.001), and a poor, but statistically significant, correlation between the variables (R(2) = 0.006; P < 0.05). Similar results were observed during exercise. In study 2 there were weak (R(2) = -0.12; P = 0.01) to non-significant associations between radial dP/dt max and all echocardiographic measures analogous to LV dP/dt max at rest or peak stress. CONCLUSION: Radial pressure waveform dP/dt max is not a reliable marker of LV systolic function.

The effect of exercise on large artery haemodynamics in healthy young men.

BACKGROUND: Brachial blood pressure predicts cardiovascular outcome at rest and during exercise. However, because of pulse pressure amplification, there is a marked difference between brachial pressure and central (aortic) pressure. Although central pressure is likely to have greater clinical importance, very little data exist regarding the central haemodynamic response to exercise. The aim of the present study was to determine the central and peripheral haemodynamic response to incremental aerobic exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy men aged 31 +/- 1 years (mean +/- SEM) exercised at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of their maximal heart rate (HRmax) on a bicycle ergometer. Central blood pressure and estimated aortic pulse wave velocity, assessed by timing of the reflected wave (T(R)), were obtained noninvasively using pulse wave analysis. Pulse pressure amplification was defined as the ratio of peripheral to central pulse pressure and, to assess the influence of wave reflection on amplification, the ratio of peripheral pulse pressure to nonaugmented central pulse pressure (PPP : CDBP-P1) was also calculated. RESULTS: During exercise, there was a significant, intensity-related, increase in mean arterial pressure and heart rate (P < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in pulse pressure amplification and in PPP : CDBP-P(1) (P < 0.001), but both were independent of exercise intensity. Estimated aortic pulse wave velocity increased during exercise (P < 0.001), indicating increased aortic stiffness. There was also a positive association between aortic pulse wave velocity and mean arterial pressure (r = 0.54; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise significantly increases pulse pressure amplification and estimated aortic stiffness.