title: Carotid resistive index in treated hypertensive patients: relationship with target organ damage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The resistive index (RI) is a hemodynamic parameter that reflects local wall extensibility and related vascular resistance. We analyze the relationship between common carotid RI and target organ damage in treated hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 265 consecutive hypertensive patients. Risk factors, cardiovascular history and treatments were collected; blood test, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), echocardiography to determine left ventricular mass index (LVMI), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and carotid echo-Doppler ultrasound to calculate the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and RI of both common carotids arteries were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation was found between carotid RI and age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, carotid IMT, LVMI, UAE and a negative correlation was found with diastolic blood pressure and ABI. Subjects at the top quartile of carotid RI showed a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and peripheral artery disease (increased IMT, carotid plaques and lower ABI) compared with those with low RI (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and LVMI independently influence carotid RI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid RI is related with age, systolic-diastolic blood pressure and LVMI in hypertensive patient. This evaluation could predict the presence of early cardiovascular damage and provide an accurate estimation of overall risk in this population.
authors: Arterial Hypertension Unit, Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario de San Juan, Alicante, Spain. pedromorillas@teleline.es
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Morillas
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Quiles
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Mateo
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Bertomeu-González
authors: Jesus
authors: J
authors: Castillo
authors: Helder
authors: H
authors: de Andrade
authors: Julián
authors: J
authors: Roldán
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Miralles
authors: María Dolores
authors: MD
authors: Masiá
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Carrillo
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Bertomeu-Martínez
mesh_terms: D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D018450:Disease Progression; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents