Development of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Resting Heart Rate Over Time: Findings From the OGHMA Study

Increased Plasma Homocysteine Levels Are Associated with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients with Normal Renal Function

INTRODUCTION

Renal function has an important bearing on plasma homocysteine levels. Plasma homocysteine is related to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, it remains unclear whether the association between plasma homocysteine levels and LVH is influenced by renal function. This study aimed to investigate relationships among left ventricular mass index (LVMI), plasma homocysteine levels, and renal function in a population from southern China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in 2,464 patients from June 2016 to July 2021. Patients were divided into three groups based on gender-specific tertiles of homocysteine levels. LVMI ≥115 g/m2 for man or ≥95 g/m2 for woman was defined as LVH.

RESULTS

LVMI and the percentage of LVH were increased, while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was decreased with the increase in homocysteine levels, both significantly. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that eGFR and homocysteine were independently associated with LVMI in patients with hypertension. No correlation was observed between homocysteine and LVMI in patients without hypertension. Stratified by eGFR, further analysis confirmed homocysteine was independently associated with LVMI (β = 0.126, t = 4.333, p < 0.001) only in hypertensive patients with eGFR ≥90 mL/(min·1.73 m2), not with 60≤ eGFR <90 mL/(min·1.73 m2). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that in hypertensive patients with eGFR ≥90 mL/(min·1.73 m2), the patients in high tertile of homocysteine levels had a nearly twofold increased risk of occurring LVH compared with those in low tertile (high tertile: OR = 2.780, 95% CI: 1.945-3.975, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Plasma homocysteine levels were independently associated with LVMI in hypertensive patients with normal eGFR.

Conventional and genetic associations between resting heart rate, cardiac morphology and function as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging: Insights from the UK biobank population study

Aim

To examine the direction, strength and causality of the associations of resting heart rate (RHR) with cardiac morphology and function in 20,062 UK Biobank participants.

Methods and results

Participants underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and we extracted CMR biventricular structural and functional metrics using automated pipelines. Multivariate linear regression adjusted for the main cardiovascular risk factors and Two-sample Mendelian Randomization analyses were performed to assess the potential relationship, grouped by heart rate and stratified by sex. Each 10 beats per minute increase in RHR was linked with smaller ventricular structure (lower biventricular end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume), poorer left ventricular (LV) function (lower LV ejection fraction, global longitude strain and global function index) and unhealthy pattern of LV remodeling (higher values of myocardial contraction fraction), but there is no statistical difference in LV wall thickness. These trends are more pronounced among males and consistent with the causal effect direction of genetic variants interpretation. These observations reflect that RHR has an independent and broad impact on LV remodeling, however, genetically-predicted RHR is not statistically related to heart failure.

Conclusion

We demonstrate higher RHR cause smaller ventricular chamber volume, poorer systolic function and unhealthy cardiac remodeling pattern. Our findings provide effective evidence for the potential mechanism of cardiac remodeling and help to explore the potential scope or benefit of intervention.

Risk factors for asymptomatic echocardiographic abnormalities that predict symptomatic heart failure

Aims

Risk factors for asymptomatic echocardiographic abnormalities that predict symptomatic heart failure (HF) may provide insight into early mechanisms of HF pathogenesis. We examined risk factors associated with asymptomatic echocardiographic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities, separately and in combination, and interactions between risk factors, in the prospective community‐based SCReening Evaluation of the Evolution of New HF (SCREEN‐HF) Study cohort of 3190 participants at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Methods and results

Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 60 years with one or more of hypertension, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, abnormal heart rhythm, cerebrovascular disease, or renal impairment. Exclusion criteria were known HF, ejection fraction < 50%, or >mild valve abnormality. Structural, systolic, and diastolic echocardiographic abnormalities were defined according to the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study criteria, and risk factors for asymptomatic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities were identified using logistic regression analysis. In multivariable analysis, increased body mass index (BMI), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug therapy, and alcohol intake were risk factors for isolated structural abnormality, whereas male gender, increased heart rate, atrial fibrillation (AF), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor therapy, and obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with a lower risk. Moreover, male gender, smoking, increased systolic blood pressure, and physical inactivity were risk factors for isolated systolic abnormality, whereas increased pulse pressure and antihypertensive therapy were associated with a lower risk. Furthermore, increased age, blood pressure, amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide level, and warfarin therapy (associated with AF) were risk factors for isolated diastolic abnormality, whereas increased heart rate and triglyceride level (associated with BMI) were associated with a lower risk. The association of increased heart rate with lower risk of structural and diastolic abnormalities was independent of β‐blocker therapy. Interactions between risk factors differed for structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities.

Conclusions

The different risk factors for asymptomatic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities that predict symptomatic HF, and the interactions between risk factors, illustrate how these structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities represent unique trajectories that lead to symptomatic HF. Improved understanding of these trajectories may assist in the design of HF prevention strategies.

Impact of resting heart rate on cardiovascular mortality according to serum albumin levels in a 24-year follow-up study on a general Japanese population: NIPPON DATA80

BackgroundElevated resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. However, the findings of cohort studies differed. Thus, the impact of RHR on CVD mortality might be different according to the background of the population. Therefore, we examined the relationship of RHR and CVD mortality according to serum ALB levels in a Japanese general population.MethodsIn total, 8363 individuals without a history of CVD were followed-up for 24.0 years. The participants were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of RHR (Q1-Q4), and they were further classified into the high and low ALB groups based on a median value of 44 g/L. We estimated the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of CVD mortality in each RHR group based on ALB levels, and the interaction between RHR and ALB groups on CVD mortality was evaluated.ResultsWe found no significant association between RHR and CVD mortality. However, the Q4 of RHR was significantly associated with an increased risk for CVD mortality (HR: 1.27 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.02-1.57]) in participants with a low ALB level. Meanwhile, the Q4 of RHR was significantly correlated with a decreased risk for CVD morality in those with a high ALB level (HR: 0.61 [95% CI: 0.47-0.79]) after adjusting for covariates. A significant interaction between RHR and ALB for CVD mortality was shown (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe impact of RHR on CVD mortality differed according to ALB levels in a general Japanese population.

Prevalence and associated factors of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in a rural community, central Thailand

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is considered a cardiac condition with life-threatening complications. Detected LVH is a strong predictor of cardiovascular diseases and death. This condition is normally diagnosed at offices. We aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of electrocardiographic-LVH (ECG-LVH) among adults in a Thai rural community. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Na-Yao rural community of Thailand in 2020. A total of 638 individuals aged ≥ 20 years were interviewed using standardized structured questionnaires related to demographic information, risk behaviors, comorbidities and anthropometric measurements. LVH was determined by Sokolov-Lyon and Cornell criteria based on the collected electrocardiograms. The prevalence of ECG-LVH among adults was 6.6%. The factors independently associated with ECG-LVH were being male (AORs 2.04, 95% CI 1.05–3.98), history of diabetes mellitus (AORs 1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.02), and hypertensive crisis ≥ 180/110 mmHg (AORs 7.24, 95% CI 1.31–39.92). However, resting heart rate was negatively associated with ECG-LVH (p < 0.05). Our data emphasized that LVH was one of the significant health problems among adults in a rural community. This condition could lead to severe complications. Thus, effective detection and public health interventions should be provided at the community level.

ECG Indices Poorly Predict Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Are Applicable Only in Individuals With Low Cardiovascular Risk

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. The electrocardiography (ECG) has poor sensitivity, but it is commonly used to detect LVH.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of known ECG indicators to recognize LVH in subgroups with different cardiovascular risk levels. Methods: 676 volunteers were included.

RESULTS

We found that 10.2% of the analyzed population had LVH based on echocardiography. Individuals with LVH were older, had a higher body mass index, higher systolic blood pressure, lower heart rate, higher parameters of insulin resistance, higher cardiovascular risk, and android-type obesity. Variables that remained independently associated with LVH were QRS duration, left atrial volume index, troponin T, and hemoglobin A1c. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis of the Sokolow-Lyon index did not show a significant predictive ability to diagnose LVH in the whole study population including all cardiovascular risk classes. The ROC curves analysis of Cornell and Lewis indices showed a modest predictive ability to diagnose LVH in the general population and in a low cardiovascular class.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for new, simple methods to diagnose LVH in the general population in order to properly evaluate cardiovascular risk and introduce optimal medical treatment of concomitant disease.