Carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic patients with arterial hypertension without clinical cardiovascular disease: relation with left ventricular geometry and mass and coexisting risk factors.
We analyzed in NYHA I hypertensives the interactions between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), Hypertension and Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and relationships between IMT, CV risk factors and left ventricular (LV) geometric remodelling. 198 asymptomatic, never treated, essential hypertensives (age: 58.2 +/- 13) and 67 (age-gender matched) healthy subjects, were studied. Complete clinical examination, 2D Doppler echocardiography and vascular echography were performed in all study subjects. Major values of IMT are present in concentric LVH. Distribution of IMT among risk factors groups shows an higher IMT respect to increasing number of risk factors (P < 0.001). Significant correlation are present between pulse pressure and IMT (P < 0.006; r = 0.19) and IMT and LVM (P < 0.0001; r = 0.35). Altered patterns of LV geometry and carotid structural changes occur in many patients with essential hypertension. LVH or carotid remodeling are greater in elderly, in patients with higher systolic BP and with associated CV risk factors.
Di Bello
Vitantonio
V
Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. vdibello@med.unipi.it
Carerj
Scipione
S
Perticone
Francesco
F
Benedetto
Frank
F
Palombo
Carlo
C
Talini
Enrica
E
Giannini
Danilo
D
La Carrubba
Salvatore
S
Antonini-Canterin
Francesco
F
Di Salvo
Giovanni
G
Bellieni
Giancarlo
G
Pezzano
Antonio
A
Romano
Maria Francesca
MF
Balbarini
Alberto
A
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology