Changes in Pulse Pressure Alter Arterial Wall Permeability

Pulse pressure, the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure, is an important characteristic of arterial blood pressure. Changes in pulse pressure occur when cardiac function or arterial compliance changes, which can be caused by ageing [1] and interventions such as cardiopulmonary bypass and left ventricular assist devices [2]. Therefore it is important to understand how both an increase and decrease in pulse amplitude affects arteries.