In a recent study by Cavallini et al., classic gaps were present in 21% of 168 hypertensive patients, otherwise healthy and not on medications. Gaps were associated with female gender, increased arterial stiffness, prevalence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques—all independent variables—and also with older age—not an independent variable. These findings suggest that auscultatory gaps are related to the atherosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness of hypertensive patients. Hence, they may have prognostic relevance, making
hypertensive patients with gaps more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, independent of age, blood
pressure, and other risk factors.
hypertensive patients with gaps more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, independent of age, blood
pressure, and other risk factors.