title: Comparison between generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing and left ventricular mass in young untreated hypertensive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to examine the relationship between retinal arteriolar narrowing and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 patients with a recent history of hypertension (22 M, 8 F; 33 +/- 8; BMI 24,96 +/- 2.8;), consecutively referred to the Hypertension Unit by their family doctors, were studied. Generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing was measured by two ophthalmologists from computer-scanned images on retinal photographs, and summarized as arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR). Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by quantitative M-mode echocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were stratified according to the 2003 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines: 20 subjects (66.7%) were affected by hypertension grade 1, and 10 (33.3%) were affected by hypertension grade 2. Retinal vessel diameters did not differ significantly by grade 1 vs grade 2 hypertension. Echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 10 (33%) patients. No significant correlation was shown between arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR) and left ventricular mass. [Spearman r = 0.22; p = 0.23].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest some explanations for the fact that we did not find any correlation between AVR and left ventricular mass. Further clinical studies are required for a greater understanding as to whether early microvascular changes relate with other clinical indicators of hypertensive organ damage.
authors: Department of Physiopathology, Section of Ophthalmology University of Turin, Italy. 78andrea1@tin.it
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Grosso
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Rabbia
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Fea
authors: Tiziana
authors: T
authors: Grosso
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Grignolo
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Veglio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001160:Arterioles / Q000503:physiopathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014699:Venules / Q000503:physiopathology