Asymmetric dimethylarginine is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension

Abstract

This study was to assess the relationship between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension. A total of 182 individuals with never-treated essential hypertension and 182 age-matched healthy controls were studied. Plasma ADMA levels, mean intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score were significantly greater in hypertensive patients than normotensive controls. ADMA was positively correlated with mean IMT. On multiple logistic regression analysis, ADMA was a crucial independent predictor of carotid plaque formation (plaque score ≥1.1). Our results suggest that increased levels of ADMA are associated with the development of carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.