Characteristics of Fibrosis and Collagen Metabolism Disorders in the Myocardial Interstitial Matrix of Patients with Arterial Hypertension and the Potential Use of Sartan Drugs for Their Treatment

Abstract

The chronic extension of heart and blood-vessel walls due to hypertension leads to metabolic disorders in their interstitial matrix. To assess involutive and hypertensive changes in the cardiac and vascular interstitial matrix and to assess the their potential correction with Valsartan and Veroshpiron, 30 normotensive elderly women and 30 patients of the same age with stage-II arterial hypertension (AH) have been examined. Echocardiography and Doppler cardiography were carried out, the volume fraction of interstitial collagen (VFIC) in the myocardium and cardiovascular conjugation (CVC) was measured, and the serum concentrations of systemic collagenogenesis markers were determined. In elderly patients with AH, a higher intensity of LV myocardial fibrosis was found with a statistically significant increase in VFIC as compared to the patients with normal tension. This was due to the increased activity of fibrosis markers. A decrease in their levels was observed after antihypertensive therapy, which proved the antifibrotic effect of the therapy.