Studies in hemodynamics and hypertension

Abstract

This review covers a representative sampling of investigations in hemodynamics and hypertension performed by the author during the period from approximately 1945 to 1980. The hemodynamic studies included a description of changes associated with congestive heart failure and with acute myocardial infarction. These studies emphasized for the first time the importance of left ventricular afterload and of the mobilizable venous reservoir. Other hemodynamic studies included diverse subjects such as the first and only recordings of pulse waves in arteries as small as 200 γm in diameter, velocity differences between red blood cells and plasma, turbulent blood flow in the ascending aorta, increase in velocity of blood flow of leg veins under compression, rates of transcapillary flow of solutes in humans, and the first use of external arterial pulse wave recordings to assess vascular compliance. Pioneer studies in hypertension included the first use of an antihypertensive drug to treat malignant hypertension and the first report of the treatment of hypertension with a thiazide diuretic.