The importance of frontal QRS-T angle for predicting non-dipper status in hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy

Background: Frontal QRS-T angle is a novel marker of myocardial repolarization, and an increased frontal QRS-T angle associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. Non-dipper hypertension is also associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between frontal QRS-T angle and non-dipper status in hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods: This study included 122 hypertensive patients without LVH. Patients were divided into two groups: dipper hypertension and non-dipper hypertension. The frontal QRS-T angle was calculated from 12-lead electrocardiography.

Results: Frontal QRS-T angle (47.9° ± 29.7° vs. 26.7° ± 19.6°, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than in patients with dipper hypertension. In addition, frontal QRS-T angle was positively correlated with sleeping systolic (r = 0.211, P = 0.020), and diastolic (r = 0.199, P = 0.028) blood pressures (BP), even if they were weak. Multivariate analysis showed that the frontal QRS-T angle was independent predictor of non-dipper status (QR: 1.037, 95% CI: 1.019–1.056, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Frontal QRS-T angle is independent predictor of non-dipper status in hypertensive patients without LVH.     

Depression and anxiety are associated with abnormal nocturnal blood pressure fall in hypertensive patients

Background: Previous studies have shown that depression and anxiety were independent risk factors for hypertension. Non-dipper hypertension is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety and depression scores in patients with dipper and non-dipper hypertension. Methods: The study sample consisted of 153 hypertensive patients. All patients underwent 24-h blood pressure monitoring. Patients were classified into two groups according to their dipper or non-dipper hypertension status. We evaluated results of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale between groups. Results: Seventy-eight patients (38 male, mean age: 51.6?±?12.5 years) had dipper hypertension while 75 patients (27 male, mean age: 55.4?±?14.1 years) had non-dipper hypertension (p?=?0.141, 0.072, respectively). Clinical characteristics were similar for both groups. Patients with non-dipper hypertension had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores compared to patients with dipper hypertension. Dipper and non-dipper status significantly correlated with anxiety (p: 0.025, r: 0.181) and depression score (p: 0.001, r: 0.255). In univariate analysis, smoking, alcohol usage, presence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, anxiety score >8 and depression score >7 were predictors of dipper versus non-dipper status. In multivariate logistic regression analyses only depression score >7 was independent predictor of dipper versus non-dipper status (odds ratio: 2.74, confidence intervals: 1.41–5.37). A depression score of 7 or higher predicted non-dipper status with a sensitivity of 62.7% and specificity of 62.8%. Conclusion: Non-dipper patients have significantly higher anxiety and depression scores compared to dipper patients. Evaluation of anxiety and depression in patients with hypertension might help to detect non-dipper group and hence guide for better management.     

Neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in patients with dipper versus non-dipper hypertension

Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with worse outcome in various diseases. Non-dipping blood pressure pattern is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the association between NLR and PLR in patients with dipper versus non-dipper hypertension.

Methods: The study included 166 patients with hypertension. Eighty-three patients (40 male, mean age: 49.1?±?10.5 years) had dipper hypertension, while 83 patients (41 male, mean age: 52.3?±?12.7 years) had non-dipper hypertension.

Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Patients with non-dipper hypertension had significantly higher NLR compared to dipper hypertension (2.3?±?0.9 versus 1.8?±?0.5, p?p?=?0.001). In univariate analysis, hyperlipidemia, smoking, presence of diabetes, PLR more than 107 and NLR more than 1.89 were among predictors of dipper and non-dipper status. In logistic regression analyses, only hyperlipidemia (odds ratio: 2.96, CI: 1.22–7.13) and PLR more than 107 (odds ratio: 2.62, CI: 1.13–6.06) were independent predictors of dipper and non-dipper status. A PLR of 107 or higher predicted non-dipper status with a sensitivity of 66.3% and specificity of 68.7%.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that patients with non-dipper hypertension had significantly higher NLR and PLR compared to dipper hypertension, which has not been reported previously. Moreover PLR more than 107 but not NLR was independent predictor of non-dipper status.     

高龄和日间舒张压高及反杓型是高血压患者心电图碎裂 QRS波的独立影响因素

目的：分析高血压患者碎裂QRS波（fQRS）产生的危险因素及其与非杓型和反杓型血压模式的关系。方法：选择2019年3月至2019年12月海口市人民医院全科医学科338例连续新诊断尚未治疗的高血压患者，且无左心室肥厚并接受24h动态血压监测。根据动态血压监测结果，患者被分为杓型、非杓型和反杓型。比较各组心电图fQRS发生率。结果：90例（26.6%）患者在心电图上有fQRS。与无fQRS患者相比，fQRS患者年龄较大(P=0.005)，日间、夜间、24h平均收缩压（SBP）和舒张压（DBP）显著升高（P均＜0.05）。单因素Logistic回归分析结果发现：日间DBP、夜间SBP、年龄、非杓型、反杓型是高血压患者fQRS波的影响因素。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，日间DBP（P＜0.001，95%CI:0.901~0.955）；年龄（P＜0.001，95%CI:0.814~0.941）;、反杓型（P=0.018，95%CI：1.132~3.684）是高血压患者fQRS波的独立影响因素。结论：高龄、日间舒张压高及反杓型高血压患者心电图可能较易出现fQRS波，虽然此类患者无明显左心室肥大，但可提示心肌纤维负荷增加。     

Detection of atrial electrical and mechanical dysfunction in non-dipper pre-hypertensive subjects

Introduction: A relationship between atrial conduction time and hypertension was shown in previous studies. Increased atrial electromechanical intervals used to predict atrial fibrillation by measured tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). So we aimed to search if there was any association between the non-dipping status and atrial electromechanical intervals in pre-hypertensive patients.

Methods: Forty-one non-dipper and 33 dipper pre-hypertensive subjects enrolled in the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer. Twenty-four hours blood pressure was measured with cuff-oscillometric method. All patients were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) was measured from the lateral mitral annulus (PA lateral), septal mitral annulus (PA septum) and right ventricular tricuspid annulus (PA tricuspid).

Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in subjects with non-dipper phenomenon than dipper ones at night. Twenty-four hours average systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in non-dipper pre-hypertensive subjects, but this elevation was not significant. Left and right intraatrial (PA lateral-PA septum and PA septum-PA tricuspid) and interatrial (PA lateral-PA tricuspid) electromechanical coupling intervals were measured significantly higher in non-dipper pre-hypertensive patients (31.3?±?3.9 versus 24.1?±?2.3, p?=?0.001; 19.5?±?4.3 versus 13.8?±?2.1, p?=?0.001; and 11.4?±?2.8 versus 8.8?±?1.5, p?=?0.001). Also, interatrial electromechanical delay was negatively correlated with dipping levels.

Conclusion: This study showed that prolonged atrial electromechanical intervals were related non-dipper pattern in pre-hypertensive patients. Prolonged electromechanical intervals may be an early sign of subclinical atrial dysfunction and arrhythmias’ in non-dipper pre-hypertensive patients.     

Oxidative stress in patients with essential hypertension: A comparison of dippers and non-dippers

BackgroundOxidative stress seems to play an important role in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. We aimed to examine serum MDA, NO, 8-OHdG, ADMA, NT, CoQ10 and TAC as biomarkers of oxidative stress in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients.MethodsEighteen dipper hypertensives, 20 non-dipper hypertensives and 22 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Clinical assessment and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in patients. Serum MDA, TAC and NO levels were measured by using spectrophotometric methods. CoQ10 levels were measured by HPLC method. 8-OHdG, ADMA and NT were quantitated by ELISA methods.ResultsMDA levels were significantly higher in dipper and non-dipper groups compared to controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). TAC levels were found at low level in patients dipper and non-dipper patients compared to control group (p < 0.01). Higher ADMA and NT levels but lower CoQ10 levels were found in non-dipper group compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). ADMA levels were found higher in non-dipper group than those of dipper group (p < 0.01).DiscussionIncreased ADMA, NT levels and decreased CoQ10 levels in non-dipper hypertensive patients might indicate more severe oxidative stres compared with dipper hypertensive patients, which plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Increased MDA and reduced TAC levels might be considered as prospective prognostic markers of the development of cardiovascular diseases in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients.     

Effects of dipper and non-dipper status of essential hypertension on left atrial mechanical functions

AIM: This study was designed in order to investigate the effects of dipper and non-dipper status of hypertension on left atrial mechanical (reservoir, conduit and booster pump) functions with left atrial volume measurements by means of two-dimensional echocardiography in untreated systemic hypertensive patients. METHOD: A total of 27 untreated dipper hypertensive patients, group I (15 female, 12 male, mean age 57+/-12 years); 23 untreated non-dipper hypertensive patients, group II (12 female, 11 male, mean age: 53+/-18 years); and 25 voluntary healthy individuals, group III (13 female, 12 male, mean age 53+/-10 years) were included into the study. Twenty-four hour blood pressure (BP) measurement was performed by the cuff-oscillometric method to evaluate the nocturnal decrease of BP. The patients whose night time mean blood pressure measurements were found 10% or more lower compared to mean day time measurements were classified as dipper hypertensive patients and the ones with a decrease of less than 10% were classified as non-dipper hypertensive patients. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured echocardiographically according to biplane area-length method in apical four-chamber and two-chamber views. LA maximal volume (V(max)) was recorded at the onset of mitral opening, LA minimal volume (V(min)) was recorded at the onset of mitral closure and LA presystolic volume (V(p)) was recorded at the beginning of the atrial systole (p wave on ECG). All volume measurements were corrected to body surface area, and following LA emptying functions parameters were calculated: LA passive emptying volume (LAPEV)=V(max)-V(p), LA passive emptying fraction (LAPEF)=LAPEV/V(max), Conduit volume (CV)=left ventricular output volume-(V(max)-V(min)), LA active emptying volume (LAAEV)=V(p)-V(min), LA active emptying fraction (LAAEF)=LAAEV/V(p), LA total emptying volume (LATEV)=V(max)-V(min), LA total emptying fraction (LATEF)=LATEV/V(max). RESULTS: LA volume indexes, V(max), V(min), and V(p), were significantly increased in the hypertensive subgroups (groups I and II) than in controls (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), but no significant difference was found in the V(p) values between group I and group II. V(max) and V(min) were larger in non-dipper hypertensive group than in dipper hypertensive group (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). LAPEV and LAPEF were observed to be significantly reduced in both dipper and non-dipper hypertensives than in control (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively), and this difference was more obvious in non-dipper than dipper cases (p<0.001). Conduit volume was significantly lower in hypertensive groups than controls (p<0.05). LA active emptying volume (p<0.001) and LAA active emptying fraction (p<0.001) were significantly greater in hypertensive cases than in controls. Furthermore, LA active emptying volume in non-dipper hypertensive subjects was significantly greater than dipper hypertensive cases (p<0.05). Left atrial total emptying volume and left atrial total emptying fraction in both hypertensive groups were similar to control (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial reservoir and booster pump functions increase in hypertensive patients, but this result is more prominent in non-dipper hypertensives than in dipper hypertensive patients.     

The Relationship Between Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Non-dipper Hypertension

Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of NLR in patients with non-dipper hypertension. In this study, NLR between dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients was compared.This study included 80 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 50 dipper patients (29 male, mean age 51.5 ± 8 years) and 30 non-dipper patients (17 male, mean age 50.6 ± 5.4 years). Transthoracic echocardiography and ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring were performed on all patients. No patient had a recent history of an acute infection or an inflammatory disease. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Mean NLR was significantly higher among persons with non-dipper compared with dipper patients (3.1 ± 0.95 vs. 1.8 ± 0.52, P < .001). Additionally, leukocytes and monocytes counts were higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension.In conclusion, our results suggest that higher NLR, an emerging marker of inflammation, has a positive correlation with blood pressure and is elevated in non-dippers compared with dippers.     

The Effect of Non-dipper and Dipper Blood Pressure Patterns on Aortic Elasticity in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of blood pressure (BP) rhythm on aortic functions in patients with metabolic syndrome. Seventy patients with newly diagnosed hypertension who fulfilled the metabolic syndrome criteria according to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP/ATP-III) were evaluated with 24-hour BP holter monitoring. According to BP rhythm, 35 patients with dipper BP pattern and 35 patients with non-dipper BP pattern were enrolled as two groups in our study. Systolic and diastolic diameters of the ascending aorta were measured by M-mode echocardiography and aortic functions (aortic strain, distensibility, and stiffness index) were calculated. The nocturnal systolic and diastolic BPs were significantly higher in non-dipper patients than the dipper group. According to clinical parameters including age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, clinical systolic, and diastolic BPs, we did not find significantly difference between the two groups. Aortic strain was significantly higher (6.63 ± 3.37 vs. 1.81 ± 0.92; P < .0001) and aortic distensibility was lower (2.38 ± 1.18 cm^?2/dyn/10^?6 and 6.66 ± 3.67 cm^?2/dyn/10^?6; P < .001) in non-dipper group. These findings suggest that aortic functions were prominently deteriorated in non-dipper hypertensive patients than dippers with metabolic syndrome.     

The relationship between eosinophil and nondipper hypertension

AimsNon-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is known that eosinophils play an important role in vasoconstriction and thrombosis. We aimed to compare the numbers of eosinophil counts of the patients nondipper versus dipper hypertension.Materials and methodThis study included 70 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 35 dipper patients (15 male, mean age 50.94±11.13 years) and 35 non-dipper patients (10 male, mean age 56.11±11.05 years). Concurrent routine biochemical tests and eosinophil count on whole blood count were performed on these patients. These parameters were compared between groups.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Baseline characteristics of the study groups were comparable. Nondipper patients had a higher eosinophil and MPV value than dipper patients (148.86±80 vs. 304.57±182 and 7.8±0.12 vs. 9.2±0.2 fl p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionEosinophil count and MPV value are higher in patients with nondipper hypertension when compared to the dippers.     

Coronary flow reserve in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients

Background. Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) normally during night-time, which is called non-dipping, in hypertensive individuals is associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, non-dipping BP leads to structural changes in the left ventricle; however, the effect of non-dipping BP on coronary flow reserve (CFR) has not been studied yet. Methods. In this study, we measured CFR of 22 subjects with non-dipper hypertension, and 15 subjects with dipper hypertension using transthoracic second-harmonic Doppler echocardiography (Acuson Sequoia C256®). None of the subjects had any systemic disease or coronary risk factor except hypertension. Results. Age, gender, body mass index, lipids and echocardiographic findings including left ventricular mass index were similar between the groups. Office BP recordings were similar between non-dipper and dipper groups (147.9±6.1/93.9±4.3 vs 144.0±8.0/93.0±3.7). Daytime and 24-h ambulatory BP measurements were similar within the groups, but night-time BPs were significantly greater in non-dipper group than those were in dipper group. Left ventricular diastolic and systolic functions, and both baseline and hyperemic peak diastolic coronary velocity as well as CFR, were similar between the non-dipper and dipper groups (CFR: 2.47±0.59 vs 2.39±0.47). Conclusion. CFR were similar in patients with non-dipper and dipper hypertension in the absence of excessive left ventricular hypertrophy and other cardiovascular risk factors.     

Association of depression with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy in age,sex, and education level-specific differences

Previous studies have shown that hypertension and depression are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes and reduced quality of life. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is strongly linked to increased mortality and cardiovascular disease, and depression may be one of the key factors contributing to hypertensive LVH. The authors consecutively enrolled 353 patients with uncomplicated hypertension between November 2017 and May 2021. All participants completed the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) to assess their depression status, with depression defined as a HAM-D score of 20 or higher. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive association between HAM-D and LVMI (adjusted β, 1.51, 95% CI, 1.19–1.83, p < .001). Logistic regression models showed that individuals with hypertension and depression had a higher risk of LVH than those with hypertension alone (adjusted OR, 2.51, 95% CI, 1.14–5.52, p = .022). The association between depression and LVH significantly interacted with age, sex, education levels, but not BMI and household income. Following age, sex, and education levels stratification, an independent association of depression and LVH was observed only in age <60 years (age <60 years: OR, 7.36, 95% CI, 2.25–24.13, p < .001), male (male: OR, 16.16, 95% CI, 3.80–68.73, p < .001), and higher education levels (high school and above: OR, 11.09, 95% CI, 2.91–42.22, p < .001). Our findings suggest that depression is a significant risk factor for LVH in hypertensive patients, particularly in those who are under 60 years of age, male, and have higher education levels.     

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with non-dipper hypertension

Aims: Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Materials and method: This study included 80 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 50 dipper patients (29 male, mean age 51.5?±?8 years) and 30 non-dipper patients (17 male, mean age 50.6?±?5.4 years). Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. These parameters were compared between groups.

Results: No statistically significant difference was found between two groups in terms of basic characteristics. In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QTd were significantly increased in non-dipper patients compared to the dippers (39.4?±?11.5 versus 27.3?±?7.5?ms and 37.5?±?9.5 versus 29.2?±?6.5?ms, p?=?0.001 and p?=?0.01, respectively). Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in non-dipper patients (97.5?±?11.2 versus 84.2?±?8.3?ms and 0.23?±?0.02 versus 0.17?±?0.02, all p value <0.001).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are prolonged in patients with non-dipper hypertension.     

Oxidative Stress Impairs Endothelial Function in Nondipper Hypertensive Patients

Aims: Essential hypertension, as well as other established cardiovascular risk factors, is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Hypertensive patients with a nondipper circadian pattern have a greater risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications in comparison with those with a dipper circadian pattern. In this study, we evaluated the association between nondipper pattern and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: We evaluated the forearm blood flow (FBF) response to intraarterial acetylcholine (ACh), an endothelium‐dependent vasodilator, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an endothelium‐independent vasodilator, infusions in 190 hypertensive patients stratified according to dipper and nondipper status. The FBF was measured by strain‐gauge plethysmography. Effects of oxidative stress on FBF were evaluated by intraarterial infusion of vitamin C. Ambulatory BP monitorings were obtained by a validated oscillometric device (SpaceLabs 90207 Monitor Inc., Issaquah, WA, USA). Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher during daytime and lower during night‐time in dipper subjects than in nondippers. The peak percent increase in ACh‐stimulated FBF was higher in dippers than in nondippers (473% vs. 228%, P < 0.001). The FBF responses to SNP were similar in dipper and nondipper patients. The FBF response to ACh during coinfusion of vitamin C was higher in nondippers rather than in dipper hypertensives. Conclusions: Present data demonstrate that endothelium‐dependent vasodilation is impaired in patients who have nondipper hypertension. The effects of vitamin C on impaired ACh‐stimulated vasodilation support the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction of nondipper hypertensive patients.     

Limited atrial compensation to reduced early diastolic filling in hypertensive patients with advanced left ventricular hypertrophy: A Doppler echocardiographic study

Summary To assess atrial contribution to left ventricular (LV) filling in hypertension, we studied, using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, 22 hypertensive patients without apparent LV hypertrophy (LVH), 12 hypertensive patients with LVH, and 24 age-matched normal subjects. From mitral flow velocity waveform, we determined peak velocity of early diastolic filling flow (peak E), peak velocity of late diastolic filling flow (peak A), and the peak A/peak E ratio (peak A/peak E). Peak E decreased in hypertensives without apparent LVH and showed a further decrease in hypertensives with LVH compared with normal subjects (57±8 [mean ± SD];P<0.001, 46±7;P<0.0001, vs 65±10 cm/s). On the other hand, peak A/peak E increased in hypertensives without apparent LVH, and greatly increased in hypertensives with LVH (1.06±0.14;P<0.001, 1.40±0.29;P<0.0001, vs 0.79±0.21). However, increased peak A was not significantly different between the hypertensive groups (60±8 vs 64±8; NS, both;P<0.001 vs 50±10 cm/s for normal subjects). In hypertensives, we found no significant correlation between peak A and the wall thickness index (WTI, determined as mean LV wall thickness normalized by LV diastolic dimension), whereas peak E was significantly correlated with WTI (r=–0.65;P<0.001). Our findings indicate that atrial contraction can not fully compensate the decrease in early diastolic filling caused by advanced LVH. We conclude that atrial compensation for reduced early diastolic filling is limited in hypertensive patients with advanced left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and inflammatory activity in patients with non-dipper hypertension

Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level, which is accepted as a marker for oxidative stress and its relationship with inflammatory activity in patients with non-dipper hypertension. Age and sex matched 43 dipper hypertensive patients, 40 non-dipper patients, and 46 healthy subjects were included into the study. Serum GGT and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured and compared between each of the groups. Serum GGT activity was higher in the non-dipper and the dipper hypertensive groups than in the control group (33.5 ± 11.8 and 28.1 ± 10.1 U/l, respectively, vs. 21.2 ± 6.5 U/l; p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in serum GGT activity between the non-dippers and the dippers (p = 0.021). When compared with the control group, serum CRP levels were significantly increased in both the non-dipper and the dipper hypertensive groups (6.1 ± 2.6 and 5.4 ± 2.1 mg/l, respectively, vs. 2.8 ± 1.7 mg/L; p < 0.001). Increased CRP levels were higher in non-dippers than dippers (p = 0.046). A significant correlation was found between GGT and CRP measurements (r = 0.37, p = 0.002). Serum GGT levels, which are markers of the oxidative stress and CRP levels, are both increased in non-dipper hypertension. Increased GGT activity, found to be correlated with CRP levels, may be one of the reasons behind the non-dipper hypertension related cardiovascular complications.     

The relationship between the systemic immune-inflammation index and reverse-dipper circadian pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Although hypertension is considered high intravascular pressure, impairing circadian blood pressure (BP) has been shown to potentially contribute to poor clinical outcomes. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), based on platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, has been established as a strong prognostic marker in cardiovascular disease. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a well-known issue and inflammatory markers are associated with BP variability. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between circadian BP changes and SII in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The study population consisted of 196 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients without LVH. In total, 76 (38%) patients had a dipper BP pattern, 60 (31%) patients had a non-dipper BP pattern, and 60 (31%) patients had a reverse-dipper BP pattern. SII was calculated according to Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed SII and HDL-C as an independent predictors of reverse-dipper circadian pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The cut-off value of the SII for reverse-dipper hypertension in a ROC curve analysis was >639.73 with 63.3% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. Our study showed that the SII level was higher in the reverse-dipper hypertension patient group than in the dipper and non-dipper hypertension groups. Furthermore, SII was an independent predictor of newly diagnosed reverse-dipper hypertensive patients. The high SII value in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients can be used as an early warning parameter to identify reverse-dipper hypertension patients.     

Serum Urotensin II Levels in Patients with Non-Dipper Hypertension

Hypertension terms “dipper” and “non-dipper” are propounded by the change that occurs during ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The purpose of this study is to present whether the serum urotensin II levels are different in patients with dipper and non-dipper hypertension and to put forward the effects causing this difference, if there are any. Patients recently diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. With ambulatory BP monitoring, 81 patients with high BP were divided into two groups, dipper (n = 40) and non-dipper (n = 41). Serum urotensin II levels were analyzed by ELISA method. Serum urotensin II levels were higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than in patients with dipper hypertension (204 [106–533] vs. 140 [96–309], P = .004). There was a positive correlation between total systolic BP and serum urotensin II levels (r = 0.408 and P = .009), but the relation in the non-dipper hypertension group was not significant (r = 0.194 and P = .2). In conclusion, serum urotensin II levels were higher in non-dipper HT patients than dipper HT patients. This higher urotensin II level might be responsible for poor prognoses.     

组织多普勒成像评价血压昼夜节律变异对左心室舒张功能的影响

目的探讨血压昼夜节律变异对左心室舒张功能的影响。方法31例非杓型高血压患者(非杓型组)和31例年龄、性别相匹配的杓型高血压患者(杓型组)入选。两组患者均行24 h动态血压监测和组织多普勒成像(DTI)检查。结果两组日间平均收缩压和平均舒张压无显著性差异,非杓型组的夜间平均收缩压和平均舒张压均显著高于杓型组[(145.1±34.5)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)vs(127.9±18.1)mm Hg,(94.2±38.1)mm Hgvs(78.5±18.2)mm Hg,P<0.05]。心脏超声检查显示两组在心腔内径、室壁厚度和左心室射血分数等参数无显著性差异,DTI结果显示非杓型组的平均组织舒张早期速度(MEa)、MEa/平均组织舒张晚期速度(MAa)显著低于杓型组[(5.9±2.1)cm/svs(7.8±3.1)cm/s,(0.68±0.56)cm/svs(0.95±0.39)cm/s,P<0.05和P<0.01)];非杓型组的MAa较杓型组明显升高[(9.5±2.8)cm/svs(8.6±1.7)cm/s,P<0.01]。结论血压昼夜节律变异可加重左心室舒张功能受损。对于存在血压昼夜节律变异的高血压患者应尽早诊断,积极治疗和加强随访。