Evaluation of prehypertension and masked hypertension rate among clinically normotensive patients

Background: The present cross-sectional study was aimed to identify pre-hypertension and masked hypertension rate in clinically normotensive adults in relation to socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A total of 161 clinically normotensive adults with office blood pressure (OBP) <140/90?mmHg without medication were included in this single-center cross-sectional study. OBP, home BP (HBP) recordings and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were used to identify rates of true normotensives, true pre-hypertensives and masked hypertensives. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected in each subject and evaluated with respect to true normotensive vs. pre-hypertensive patients with masked hypertension or true pre-hypertensive. Target organ damage (TOD) was evaluated in masked hypertensives based on laboratory investigation. Results: Masked hypertension was identified in 8.7% of clinically normotensives. Alcohol consumption was significantly more common in masked hypertension than in true pre-hypertension (28.6 vs. 0.0%, p?=?0.020) with risk ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 1.7–4.4). Patients with true pre-hypertension and masked hypertension had significantly higher values for body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic OBP and HBP (p?<?0.05 for each) compared to true normotensive subjects. ABPM revealed significantly higher values for day-time and night-time systolic and diastolic BP (p?=?0.002 for night-time diastolic BP, p?<?0.001 for others) in masked hypertension than true pre-hypertension. Conclusions: Given that the associations of pre-hypertension with TOD might be attributable to the high prevalence of insidious presentation of masked hypertension among pre-hypertensive individuals, ABPM seems helpful in early identification and management of masked hypertension in the pre-hypertensive population.     

Comparison of ambulatory central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in patients with diabetic and non‐diabetic CKD

Increased arterial stiffness is independently associated with renal function decline in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Whether DM has additional deleterious effects on central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is yet unknown. This study aimed to compare ambulatory central BP, arterial stiffness parameters, and trajectories between patients with diabetic and non‐diabetic CKD. This study examined 48 diabetic and 48 non‐diabetic adult patients (>18 years) with CKD (eGFR: <90 and ≥15 ml/min/1.73 m²), matched in a 1:1 ratio for age, sex, and eGFR within CKD stages (2, 3a, 3b and 4). All patients underwent 24‐h ABPM with the Mobil‐O‐Graph device. Parameters of central hemodynamics [central systolic (cSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), pulse pressure (PP)], wave reflection [augmentation index (AIx), and pressure (AP)] and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were estimated from the 24‐h recordings. Diabetic CKD patients had higher 24‐h cSBP (118.57 ± 10.05 vs. 111.59 ± 9.46, P = .001) and 24‐h cPP (41.48 ± 6.80 vs. 35.25 ± 6.98, P < .001) but similar 24‐h cDBP (77.09 ± 8.14 vs. 76.34 ± 6.75 mmHg, P = .625) levels compared to patients with non‐diabetic CKD. During day‐ and nighttime periods, cSBP and cPP levels were higher in diabetics compared to non‐diabetics. 24‐h PWV (10.10 ± 1.62 vs. 9.61 ± 1.80 m/s, P = .165) was numerically higher in patients with DM, but no between‐group differences were noted in augmentation pressure and index. In multivariate analysis, DM, female gender, and peripheral SBP were independently associated with higher cPP levels. Patients with diabetic CKD have higher ambulatory cSBP and increased arterial stiffness, as indicated by higher ambulatory cPP. These finding suggest that DM is a factor independently contributing to the adverse macrocirculatory profile of CKD patients.     

动态动脉硬化指数研究进展

动脉硬化是高血压心血管并发症的独立危险因素,动态动脉硬化指数作为新的动脉硬化评价指标,近年来引起了广泛的研究。其受到年龄、血压和夜间血压下降等因素的影响,可重复性为中等水平,正常值范围有待进一步研究确认。其与脉搏波传导速度等传统动脉硬化指标中等程度相关,同时与肾功能损伤、血管损伤和心脏损伤等高血压靶器官损伤相关,临床上能一定程度预测心血管疾病和脑卒中等高血压并发症的发生风险。     

Value of ambulatory arterial stiffness index and 24-h pulse pressure to predict progression of albuminuria in elderly people with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory 24-h pulse pressure predicts progression of albuminuria in people with diabetes mellitus. It is not known whether the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) may add to that prediction. METHODS: We compared the multivariate-adjusted association of AASI and 24-h pulse pressure with progression of urine albumin excretion during follow-up in a multiethnic cohort of older people with type-2 diabetes mellitus. The baseline evaluation included office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements, and a spot urine measurement of albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). The ACR measurements were repeated annually during 3 years. RESULTS: The AASI was >or=0.55 units in 47% of those exhibiting progression of albuminuria, and in 37% of those without progression (P = .004), whereas 24-h pulse pressure was >or=65 mm Hg in 50% and 38% of those with and without progression, respectively (P = .001). In repeated measures mixed linear model (n = 1043), after adjustment for several covariates including office pulse pressure, AASI in the fourth quartile was independently associated with higher follow-up ACR (P = .024). However, that association did not persist after adjusting for 24-h pulse pressure, which was an independent predictor (P < .001). Cox proportional hazards models examined progression of albuminuria in 957 participants without macroalbuminuria at baseline. The hazard ratio (95% CI) for AASI >or=0.55 units was 1.37 (1.02-1.83) after multivariable adjustment, including office pulse pressure. But AASI was not an independent predictor after adjustment for ambulatory pulse pressure, which was again an independent predictor (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory 24-h pulse pressure outperformed AASI in predicting progression of albuminuria in elderly people with type 2 diabetes.     

Cardiovascular risk assessment in children and adolescents with congenital solitary kidneys

Patients with solitary kidneys (SKs) are at risk of hypertension (HT) and associated end‐organ damage. The authors aimed to evaluate whether children with congenital SKs (CSKs) have higher office, ambulatory, or central blood pressure (BP), increased arterial stiffness or left ventricular mass index, or any risk for arrhythmia. With this purpose, patients with CSK and healthy controls being followed up between January 2018 and June 2019 were enrolled in the study. Demographic, biochemical, and office blood pressure (BP) data were recorded. Then, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and measurements of central BP (cBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AIx@75) were obtained. Ventricular repolarization parameters were acquired by 12‐lead electrocardiography. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and abdominal aortic stiffness parameters including strain, pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep), and normalized Ep (Ep*) were calculated with echocardiographic measurements. Finally, 36 children with CSK and 36 healthy controls were included. Serum creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol levels, ABPM parameters, cBP levels, and PWV values were significantly higher, and eGFR levels were significantly lower in the CSK group. VR parameters, abdominal aortic stiffness indices, and LVMI were similar between the groups. CSK increased the risk of HT in ABPM (HT_ABPM) by 6 times. PWV was significantly correlated with Ep and Ep* in cases with CSK. Determination of cBP and PWV along with 24‐hour ABPM would be a useful tool in children with CSK.     

高血压病人动脉顺应性与家庭偶测血压及动态血压关系

目的　探讨原发性高血压病人家庭测量血压、动态血压与动脉顺应性的关系。方法　共入选 164例受试者 ,其中原发性高血压组 74例 [男 42例 ,女 3 2例 ,平均年龄 ( 4 7 0 5± 10 0 8)岁 ] ;对照组 90例 [男 41例 ,女 49例 ,平均年龄 ( 3 3 81±12 3 5 )岁 ]。对入选者间隔 1～ 3周进行二次家访 ,每次家访由经过专门训练的护士采用汞柱血压计连续测量受试者坐位、左上臂血压 5次 ,每人的家庭测量血压是二次家访、共 10个血压读数的平均值。同时采用SpaceLabs 90 2 0 7动态血压监测仪记录 2 4小时动态血压 ,有效数据应达到 80 %以上。动脉顺应性检查采用动脉脉搏波分析 (PWA)仪。反映大动脉硬化的参数为反射波增强指数 (AIx)。结果　高血压组家庭测量血压及 2 4小时平均收缩压、舒张压、白昼及夜间血压显著高于对照组。与对照组相比 ,高血压组AIx显著升高 ( 2 4 4%± 12 8%vs 12 7%± 18 3 % ,P =0 0 0 0 ) ,经年龄、性别调整后 ,二组间仍有显著性差异 ,提示高血压患者动脉顺应性下降、动脉硬化。将AIx作为因变量 ,年龄、身高、家庭测量血压及动态血压中 2 4小时平均血压、白昼血压、夜间血压、血糖、血酯等作为自变量进行多元回归分析 ,AIx与年龄、家庭血压中的收缩压呈显著的正相关 ,与身高呈负相关     

The characteristics of respiratory function and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with portal hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the respiratory function and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with portal hypertension (PHT). METHODS: A total of 148 patients with PHT were divided into three groups according to Child–Pugh classification. Results of blood biochemistry test, lung function test, arterial blood gas analysis, free portal pressure (FPP) and pulmonary hemodynamics measurements of the three Child‐Pugh grade groups were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: The overall incidence of arterial hypoxemia was 27.0% in PHT patients. Arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) had a significant negative correlation with FPP (r = ?0.76, P < 0.01) and Child–Pugh grade (r = ?0.42, P < 0.01), as well as a positive correlation with systemic vascular resistance (SVR, r = 0.24, P = 0.01). Alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference (A‐aDO₂) increased in Child‐Pugh grade C group when compared with Child‐Pugh grade A and B groups (P < 0.05). Restrictive impairment of lung function was seen in Child‐Pugh grade C group. Direct measurement of the hemodynamics in PHT patients revealed a hyperdynamic disturbance in both systemic and portal venous systems, and was illustrated in pulmonary circulation as an increase of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary arterial wedged pressure (PAWP) as well as a decrease of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). CONCLUSIONS: High output and low resistance are the key characteristics of pulmonary circulation in PHT patients and the decrease of PVR can be detected even when liver function is still compensated.     

A randomized multicenter study on ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness in patients treated with valsartan/amlodipine or nifedipine GITS

In a pre‐specified subgroup analysis of a 12‐week randomized multicenter study, we investigated effects of valsartan/amlodipine 80/5 mg single‐pill combination (n = 75) and nifedipine GITS 30 mg (n = 75) on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. At week 12, the between‐treatment mean differences in systolic/diastolic BP were smaller for 24‐hour and daytime (–2.1/–1.7 and −2.0/−1.5 mm Hg, respectively, P ≥ 0.22) but greater (P < 0.01) for nighttime (–4.0/‐2.8 mm Hg, P ≤ 0.09), especially in sustained uncontrolled hypertension (−5.0/−4.1 mm Hg, P ≤ 0.04) and non‐dippers (−6.5/−3.7 mm Hg, P ≤ 0.07), in favor of valsartan/amlodipine. At week 12, PWV was significantly reduced from baseline by valsartan/amlodipine (n = 59, P < 0.0001) but not nifedipine (n = 59, P = 0.06). The changes in PWV were significantly associated with that in ambulatory systolic BP and pulse pressure in the nifedipine (P ≤ 0.0008) but not valsartan/amlodipine group (P ≥ 0.57), with a significant interaction (P ≤ 0.045). The valsartan/amlodipine combination was more efficacious than nifedipine GITS in lowering nighttime BP in sustained uncontrolled hypertension and non‐dippers, and in lowering arterial stiffness independent of BP lowering.     

Home blood pressure is as reliable as ambulatory blood pressure in predicting target-organ damage in hypertension

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the value of home blood pressure (BP) monitoring in comparison to office BP measurements and ambulatory monitoring in predicting hypertension-induced target-organ damage. METHODS: Sixty-eight untreated patients with hypertension with at least two routine prestudy office visits were included (mean age, 48.6 +/- 9.1 [SD] years; 50 men). Office BP was measured in two study visits, home BP was measured for 6 workdays, and ambulatory BP was monitored for 24 h. All BP measurements were obtained using validated electronic devices. Target-organ damage was assessed by measuring the echocardiographic left-ventricular mass index (LVMI), urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) in two overnight urine collections, and carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) (Complior device; Colson, Garges-les-Gonesse, Paris, France). RESULTS: The correlation coefficients of LVMI with office BP were 0.24/0.15 (systolic/diastolic), with home BP 0.35/0.21 (systolic, P < .01), and with 24-h ambulatory BP 0.23/0.19, awake 0.21/0.16, and asleep 0.28/0.26 (asleep, both P < .05). The correlation coefficients of AER with office BP were 0.24/0.31 (diastolic, P < .05), with home BP 0.28/0.26 (both P < .05), and with 24-h ambulatory BP 0.25/0.24, awake 0.24/0.25 (diastolic, P < .05), and asleep 0.26/0.18 (systolic, P < .05). There was a trend for negative correlations between PWV and diastolic BP measurements (not significant). In multiple-regression models assessing independent predictors of each of the three indices of target-organ damage, systolic home BP and age were the only independent predictors of increased LVMI that reached borderline statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that home BP is as reliable as ambulatory monitoring in predicting hypertension-induced target-organ damage, and is superior to carefully taken office measurements.     

正常高值血压者动脉血压昼夜节律与血管内皮功能及颈动脉内膜中层厚度的关系

目的了解正常高值血压动态血压昼夜节律及血管内皮功能(FMD)、颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT),探讨三者之间的关系。方法连续收集2010-08-12湘雅医院体检中心正常高值血压者104例,根据动态血压昼夜变化规律分为杓型组(55例)和非杓型组(49例),健康体检者40例为对照组。高分辨超声检测肱动脉FMD及颈动脉IMT。结果正常高值血压动态血压呈杓型及非杓型各占52.9%及47.1%,杓型组与非杓型组的IMT大于对照组[(0.74±0.06)、(0.75±0.06)比(0.47±0.05)mm],FMD值小于对照组[(8.07±1.18)%、(5.89±0.93)%比(13.78±1.98)%,均P<0.05],其中杓型组FMD大于非杓型组。FMD与IMT呈负相关(r=-0.843,P<0.01)。结论正常高值血压者存在血压节律异常、IMT增厚及FMD减退,动态血压呈非杓型者FMD损害较杓型者更严重。     

Arterial-wave reflections are increased in heart failure patients with a left-ventricular assist device

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with increased central arterial pulse-wave reflections, which may contribute to increased myocardial oxygen demand. Although the treatment of HF via left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement has recently become widespread, the effects of LVAD therapy on central arterial pulse-wave reflections are unknown. METHODS: Central aortic pulse-wave analysis was performed on patients with end-stage HF awaiting cardiac transplantation and on healthy age-matched controls using the SphygmoCor (Akor Medical, Sydney, Australia) system. Arterial pulse-wave data were compared between patients receiving LVAD support versus those receiving intravenous inotropic drugs and healthy control patients. RESULTS: Five patients on LVAD support were compared with 10 patients on inotropic drugs and 10 healthy control patients. Aortic augmented pressure and the aortic augmentation index (AI(a)) were higher in LVAD patients compared with inotrope and control patients, despite similar brachial and aortic blood pressures between groups. The AI(a) was significantly higher in LVAD patients than in patients on inotropic drugs (28.2% +/- 10% v 7.9% +/- 9%, P < or = .01). Additionally, there was a significantly higher aortic systolic tension time index, an index of left-ventricular myocardial oxygen demand, in the LVAD group compared with the inotrope group (2655 +/- 298 mm Hg/sec/min v 1748 +/- 303 mm Hg/sec/min, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Central arterial pressure-wave reflection is increased in end-stage HF patients on LVAD support compared with those on inotropic drugs, leading to an increase in aortic augmented pressure, AI(a), and systolic tension time index. The AI(a) is also higher in LVAD patients than in healthy controls. This increased central arterial-wave reflection places an additional hemodynamic load on the LVAD device and may have relevance to the medical management of patients after LVAD placement and to the longevity of the LVAD device itself.     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over 24 h: A Latin American Society of Hypertension position paper—accessibility,clinical use and cost effectiveness of ABPM in Latin America in year 2020

Accurate office blood pressure measurement remains crucial in the diagnosis and management of hypertension worldwide, including Latin America (LA). Office blood pressure (OBP) measurement is still the leading technique in LA for screening and diagnosis of hypertension, monitoring of treatment, and long‐term follow‐up. Despite this, due to the increasing awareness of the limitations affecting OBP and to the accumulating evidence on the importance of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), as a complement of OBP in the clinical approach to the hypertensive patient, a progressively greater attention has been paid worldwide to the information on daytime and nighttime BP patterns offered by 24‐h ABPM in the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic management of hypertension. In LA countries, most of the Scientific Societies of Hypertension and/or Cardiology have issued guidelines for hypertension care, and most of them include a special section on ABPM. Also, full guidelines on ABPM are available. However, despite the available evidence on the advantages of ABPM for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in LA, availability of ABPM is often restricted to cities with large population, and access to this technology by lower‐income patients is sometimes limited by its excessive cost. The authors hope that this document might stimulate health authorities in each LA Country, as well as in other countries in the world, to regulate ABPM access and to widen the range of patients able to access the benefits of this technique.     

Insulin Resistance and Blood Pressure Circadian Variation in an Obese Hypertensive Population

Insulin resistance (IR) is related to arterial hypertension and target organ damage. Hypertensive individuals exhibiting a diminished nocturnal blood pressure (BP) reduction (non-dippers) have an increased incidence of cardiovascular events. The association, however, of IR with BP circadian variation has not been evaluated so far. Therefore, this study examined 226 (116 male and 110 female) overweight and obese subjects (BMI > 27kg/m²) with newly diagnosed essential hypertension who underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation, including an oral glucose tolerance test and ambulatory BP measurement (ABPM). IR was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). The population was grouped according to HOMA-IR values > 2.75 (insulin resistance type) or < 2.75 (insulin sensitive type). Results. No significant differences were observed between dippers (n = 137) and non-dippers (n = 89) with respect to age, gender, BMI, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels, nor smoking habits. The proportion of IR subjects among dippers (59.1%) and non-dippers (56.7%) was similar (p = 0.833). Moreover, no significant association was found when the HOMA-IR was examined as a continuous component (p = 0.96). Conclusions. Insulin resistance is not associated with nocturnal blood pressure reduction in obese hypertensives. This may be explained by the notion that insulin secretion does not follow a circadian mode of variation.     

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension

Whether sex influences the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension is unknown. In this study, 95 hypertensive participants underwent carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiogram, and polysomnography after a 30‐day standardized treatment with hydrochlorothiazide plus enalapril or losartan. OSA was present in 52 patients. Compared with non‐OSA patients, pulse wave velocity values were higher in the OSA group (men: 11.1±2.2 vs 12.7±2.4 m/s, P=.04; women: 11.8±2.4 vs 13.2±2.2 m/s, P=.03). The proportion of diastolic dysfunction was significant in men and women with OSA. Compared with non‐OSA patients, nondipping systolic blood pressure in OSA was higher in men (14.3% vs 46.4%) and in women (41.4% vs 65.2%). OSA was independently associated with pulse wave velocity (β=1.050; P=.025) and nondipping systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–8.55; P=.035) in the regression analysis. In conclusion, OSA is independently associated with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension regardless of sex.     

老年男性高血压患者脉压指数特征的分析

目的分析老年男性高血压患者脉压指数特征及其对心脑血管事件危险性的预测价值。方法选择265例老年男性高血压患者进行动态血压监测,按脉压指数水平分层:≤0.400(103例),0.401～0.500(124例),≥0.501(38例),分析高血压患者昼夜及不同脉压指数的动态血压特征及心脑血管事件危险性。结果高血压患者夜间脉压较昼间明显降低(P<0.01);脉压指数昼夜变化幅度较小,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。随脉压指数增加,高血压患者平均收缩压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、平均脉压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、收缩压最高值、收缩压变异性(24 h、昼间)、夜间收缩压负荷值明显升高;而平均舒张压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、舒张压最低值、昼间舒张压负荷值、夜间血压下降率均明显下降(P<0.01)。随脉压指数增加,心脑血管事件发生率增高(P<0.01)。结论脉压指数较脉压更有利于对患者动脉硬化做出准确评估,且对老年男性高血压患者心脑血管事件危险性有一定预测价值。     

中老年高血压伴左室肥厚患者周围动脉硬化特点及相关性分析

目的 探讨中老年高血压伴左室肥厚(LVH)患者周围动脉硬化特点及二者的相关性. 方法 149例中老年高血压患者入选本研究,其中高血压伴LVH 67例为LVH组,高血压非左室肥厚(NLVH) 82例为NLVH组,并选择同期健康体检者48例作为正常对照组,应用动态血压检查动态动脉硬化指数(AASI)对全身的动脉硬化程度进行评估;同时应用超声评价颈动脉粥样硬化程度,然后进行组间对比及相关性分析. 结果 LVH组AASI最高,NLVH组次之,均明显高于对照组(P ＜0.01);EH患者与正常组比较,颈动脉内-中膜厚度(CCA-IMT)、颈动脉超声阳性检出率增加,LVH组显著高于NLVH组. 结论 EH患者在出现LVH之前,外周动脉就发生一系列结构和功能上的改变,LVH患者动脉硬化更明显,因此动脉硬化在LVH发生发展中起着重要的作用.     

高龄老年高血压患者动态血压和动态心电图特点及临床分析

目的分析高血压患者的24h动态血压、心电图的特点，并结合临床分析，为临床高龄老年高血压防治提供可参考依据。方法共入选老年高血压患者214例，按年龄分为两组，A组：高龄老年组（≥80岁）96例；B组：低龄老年组（60～79岁）118例。采用24h动态血压和24h动态心电图同步监测技术，记录血压和心电图变化，同时采集多次住院病历，观察高血压患者治疗过程中血压控制情况，心律失常以及靶器官损害发生情况。结果高龄老年组的大部分患者血压控制良好。24h动态血压水平两组之间仍有明显差异，高龄老年组心律失常、心脑血管事件次数、糖尿病、体重指数、左心室重量指数等均显著高于低龄老年组。结论与低龄老年组相比，80岁以上的高龄老年高血压患者肾损害明显，其24h动态血压水平与动态心电图改变及肾损害之间密切相关。     

Age‐related alterations in cardiac and arterial structure and function in hypertensive women and men

The study was to compare age‐related alterations in cardiac and arterial structure and function by sex and to explore the impacts of achieved systolic blood pressure (SBP; <130 mm Hg vs. <140 mm Hg) level on age‐related alterations in cardiac and arterial structure and function in hypertensive women and men. Community hypertensive individuals without cardiovascular disease who had echocardiographic examination were included. Age‐related alterations in cardiac and arterial structure and function were compared by sex, and interplay between age and sex was analyzed according to achieved SBP level. The mean age of the cohort was 66.5 years, and women accounted for 62% (n = 602) of the cohort (n = 971). Compared to men, women had worse left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and greater LV and arterial stiffness. After adjusting for covariates, the magnitude of the associations between age with septal E/e′ ratio, septal S′ velocity, effective arterial elastance (Ea) and LV end‐diastolic elastance (Eed) were greater in women. Sex differences in the magnitude of association between age with these four indices varied according to achieved SBP level. When achieved SBP <130 mm Hg, the magnitude of the associations between age with septal E/e′ ratio, septal S′ velocity, Ea and Eed did not differ by sex. Since age and sex are non‐modifiable, achieving SBP target, especially at a lower level, might be beneficial to attenuate sex differences in age‐related alterations in cardiac and arterial structure and function.     

Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Preliminary Report

Objective:

There is an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in children and adolescents with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), presumably associated with obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia. This study was designed to evaluate the metabolic and cardiovascular profile of a group of children with classical CAH from the perspective of cardiovascular risk.

Methods:

Twenty-five CAH patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. Metabolic and anthropometric parameters were investigated and compared in these two groups.

Results:

Subjects in the CAH group were shorter than the controls (p=0.001) and had higher body mass index values (p=0.033). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.027) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) values (p=0.006) were also higher in the patient group. In 24% (n=6) of CAH patients, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring showed arterial hypertension. CIMT was significantly higher in the hypertensive patients than in those with no hypertension (p=0.013). Twenty percent (n=5) of CAH patients had nocturnal hypertension. CIMT was significantly greater in the nocturnal hypertensive group (p=0.02). Mean systolic BP (SBP) and DBP dipping were significantly different in the CAH patients (p<0.001). CIMT correlated negatively with DBP dipping (r=-0632, p=0.037) in these patients.

Conclusion:

These results provide additional evidence for the presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease in classical CAH patients and its relationship with hypertension.