Severe aortic stenosis and its association with hypertension: analysis of clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
OBJECTIVE
Aortic stenosis (AS) and hypertension are associated with cardiac hypertrophy and aortic dilatation. The effect of their coincidence on the ascending aortic dimensions has not yet been evaluated, and therefore was the aim of our study.


METHODS
We performed cross-sectional analysis of history, clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic data of consecutive patients evaluated before surgery for non-rheumatic AS.


RESULTS
The study sample included 225 patients (age 68+/-9 years, 60% males), with mean transaortic gradient of 55+/-17 mmHg. Hypertension was present in 153 (68%) patients. The hypertensives had more severe dyspnea (NYHA class 2.2+/-0.9 vs 1.9+/-0.9, p = 0.05) and higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (57% vs 33%, p = 0.001), but did not differ from the normotensives in the ascending aortic dimensions, the left ventricular mass, ejection fraction and remodeling patterns. Wider ascending aortic dimensions were independently associated with bicuspid aortic valve (p<0.001), and with maximal gradient in those with tricuspid aortic valve. Vasodilators were used in 84 (54%) hypertensives.


CONCLUSIONS
We found hypertension in 68% of patients with severe AS. Bicuspid aortic valve and stenosis severity were independent predictors of ascending aortic dimensions, but not the history of hypertension and blood pressure.
Linhartová
Katerina
K
Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic. linhartkaterina@atlas.cz
Filipovský
Jan
J
Cerbák
Roman
R
Sterbáková
Gabriela
G
Hanisová
Iveta
I
Beránek
Václav
V
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents