Correlation between arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension

Aim: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (Aix) are the markers of arterial stiffness that can be used for the evaluation of vascular injury. Arterial stiffness is more pronounced in some hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with essential hypertension.Material and Method: One-hundred and fiftyeight consecutive patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in our study. Patients were categorized according to presence (n=82) or absence (n=76) of LVH depending on echocardiographic measurements. Interventricular septal and posterior wall thickness greater than 11 mm is defined as LVH. Arterial stiffness is measured with Tensiomed arteriograph noninvasively from brachial artery. PWV and Aix are used for the evaluation of arterial stiffness.Results: There was no difference between the groups regarding age, smoking, body mass index and duration of hypertension. Systolic and mean blood pressures and pulse pressure were found to be higher in LVH (+) group. There were no statistically significant difference between diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. Aix, PWV, hs-CRP, microalbuminuria, left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume were higher, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and E/A ratio were lower in LVH (+) group. There was positive correlation between arterial stiffness indices and hs-CRP, urinary microalbumin level, left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume. Arterial stiffness indices were negatively correlated with estimated GFR and E/A ratio.Conclusion: PWV and Aix were simple and reliable parameters to evaluate the extent of vascular injury. Arterial stiffness is more pronounced in patients with end organ damage. Arteriograph can be used for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.Key words: Arterial stiffness, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy