Objective: Central aortic pressure (CAP) is the systolic blood pressure at the root of the aorta. In young people CAP is lower than the peripheral arterial blood pressure (PAP) due to the elastic structure of the aorta. In the old, the difference between CAP and PAP becomes less. In this study, we aimed to compare the CAP in  Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients and the healthy controls, and to determine the effects of levodopa on CAP.

Background: In PD patients although non-motor symptoms gained significant attention through the years, blood pressure changes have been overlooked. Moreover CAP has never been evaluated in PD. There are a few studies showing the hypotensive effect of levodopa on PAP, but none on its effect on CAP.

Methods: Forty-four PD patients (23 men /21 women) and 40 healthy controls (25 men/15 women)  were  included in this study. Subjects with hypertension, heart disease and diabetes mellitus were excluded. Disease duration and Hoehn Yahr stages for PD patients and age, gender, weight, height, and body mass index for both groups were recorded. TensioMed Software v.3.0.0.1 was used to measure CAP and PAP. The measurments were carried out after a rest of 10 minutes at least.  For PD patients, measurements were done 1 hour before and 1 hour after levodopa intake. In addition to PAP and CAP, pulse pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity and ejection times were also recorded.

Results: Mean age was 59,18 (±11,06) years for the control group, and 61,57 (±14,39) years for PD patients. PAP and CAP values before levodopa were higher in PD than the control group, but they did not reach statistical significance. Mean PAP was 141/83 mmHg in the control group and 153/89 mmHg in PD before levodopa intake; mean CAP was 137 mmHg in the controls and 150 mmHg in PD before levodopa. On the other hand, PAP and CAP values were significantly decreased after levodopa in PD. After levodopa intake, mean PAP was 138/78 mmHg (p<0,04) and mean CAP was 130 mmHg (p<0,05). 

Conclusions: Many studies have shown that CAP being lower than PAP is healthier for the heart. In this study, we found that PD patients have a tendency for higher CAP and PAP values than the age- and sex-matched control group. However, levodopa decreased both PAP and CAP, leading to a lower CAP than PAP which is crucial for the heart health. This suggests that levodopa might have a positive effect on the heart for PD patients.

« Back to 2017 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/central-aortic-pressure-in-parkinsons-disease-and-levodopa-effect/