Left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function in children and adolescents with essential hypertension

Decline in Left Ventricular Early Systolic Function with Worsening Kidney Function in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights from the 4C and HOT-KID Studies

INTRODUCTION

Adults with childhood-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. First-phase ejection fraction (EF1), a novel measure of early systolic function, may be a more sensitive marker of left ventricular dysfunction than other markers in children with CKD.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether EF1 is reduced in children with CKD.

METHODS

Children from the 4C and HOT-KID studies were stratified according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The EF1 was calculated from the fraction of left ventricular (LV) volume ejected up to the time of peak aortic flow velocity.

RESULTS

The EF1 was measured in children ages 10.9 ± 3.7 (mean ± SD) years, 312 with CKD and 63 healthy controls. The EF1 was lower, while overall ejection fraction was similar, in those with CKD compared with controls and decreased across stages of CKD (29.3% ± 3.7%, 23.5% ± 4.5%, 19.8% ± 4.0%, 18.5% ± 5.1%, and 16.7% ± 6.6% in controls, CKD 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4, respectively, P < .001). The relationship of EF1 to eGFR persisted after adjustment for relevant confounders (P < .001). The effect size for association of measures of LV structure or function with eGFR (SD change per unit change in eGFR) was greater for EF1 (β = 0.365, P < .001) than for other measures: LV mass index (β = -0.311), relative wall thickness (β = -0.223), E/e' (β = -0.147), and e' (β = 0.141) after adjustment for confounders in children with CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with CKD exhibit a marked and progressive decline in EF1 with falling eGFR. This suggests that EF1 is a more sensitive marker of LV dysfunction when compared to other structural or functional measures and that early LV systolic function is a key feature in the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in CKD.

Cardiac Dysfunction in Neonatal HIE Is Associated with Increased Mortality and Brain Injury by MRI

OBJECTIVE

Describe the association between cardiac dysfunction and death or moderate-to-severe abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study in neonates with moderate or severe HIE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia between 2008 and 2017. Primary outcome was death or moderate-to-severe brain injury using the Barkovich score. Conventional and speckle-tracking echocardiography measures were extracted from available echocardiograms to quantify right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular functions.

RESULTS

A total of 166 newborns underwent therapeutic hypothermia of which 53 (36.5%) had echocardiography performed. Ten (19%) died prior to hospital discharge, and 11 (26%) had moderate-to-severe brain injury. There was no difference in chronologic age at echocardiography between the normal and adverse outcome groups (22 [±19] vs. 28 [±21] hours, p = 0.35). Cardiac findings in newborns with abnormal outcome included lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) at echocardiography (p = 0.004) and decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (a marker of RV systolic function; p = 0.01), while the ratio of systolic pulmonary artery (PA) pressure to systolic BP indicated isosystemic pressures (>2/3 systemic) in both groups. A multilogistic regression analysis, adjusting for weight and seizure status, indicated an association between abnormal outcome and LV function by longitudinal strain, as well as by ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

Newborns who died or had moderate-to-severe brain injury had a higher incidence of cardiac dysfunction but similar PA pressures when compared with those who survived with mild or no MRI abnormalities.

KEY POINTS

· Newborns with HIE with functional LV/RV dysfunction are at risk for death or brain injury.. · All neonates with HIE had elevated pulmonary pressure, but neonates with poor outcome had RV dysfunction.. · When evaluating newborns with HIE by echocardiography, beyond estimation of pulmonary pressure, it is important to assess biventricular function..

Systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in children with primary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of left ventricular function provides early evidence of target-organ damage in children with primary hypertension. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in children and adolescents with primary hypertension.

METHODS

Literature search was performed in PubMed database and out of 718 articles (published between 2000 and 2021) 22 studies providing comparison of left ventricular function parameters between children with primary hypertension and normotensive controls were selected.

RESULTS

Overall, 3460 children (5-21 years) with primary hypertension were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed that hypertensive patients when compared with normotensives, had an increased heart rate (mean difference [MD] 5.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.28, 7.89; 10 studies) and increased fractional shortening (MD 1.04; 95% CI 0.48, 1.60; 9 studies) but did not differ in ejection fraction (MD -0.03; 95% CI -1.07, 1.02; 12 studies). Stroke volume was higher in one out of three studies, whereas no differences in cardiac output were found in two studies with available data. Hypertensive children had also lower E/A values (MD -0.21; -0.33, -0.09; 14 studies), greater values of E/e' (MD 0.59; 0.36, 0.82; 8 studies) and greater global longitudinal stress (MD 2.50; 2.03, 2.96; 4 studies) when compared to those with normotension.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that hypertensive children and adolescents present with signs of hyperkinetic function of the left ventricle, demonstrate evidence of increased left ventricular strain and impaired diastolic function compared to normotensive controls.

Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in children and young people with primary hypertension: Meta-analysis and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the main marker of HMOD in children and young people (CYP). We aimed to assess the prevalence of LVH and its determinants in CYP with primary hypertension (PH).

METHODS

A meta-analysis of prevalence was performed. A literature search of articles reporting LVH in CYP with PH was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies with a primary focus on CYP (up to 21 years) with PH were included. Meta-regression was used to analyze factors explaining observed heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The search yielded a total of 2,200 articles, 153 of those underwent full-text review, and 47 reports were included. The reports evaluated 51 study cohorts including 5,622 individuals, 73% male subjects, and a mean age of 13.6 years. LVH was defined as left ventricle mass index (LVMI) ≥ 95th percentile in 22 (47%), fixed cut-off ≥38.6 g/m2.7 in eight (17%), sex-specific fixed cut-off values in six (13%), and miscellaneously in others. The overall prevalence of LVH was 30.5% (95% CI 27.2-33.9), while heterogeneity was high (I 2 = 84%). Subgroup analysis including 1,393 individuals (76% male subjects, mean age 14.7 years) from pediatric hypertension specialty clinics and LVH defined as LVMI ≥95th percentile only (19 study cohorts from 18 studies), reported prevalence of LVH at 29.9% (95% CI 23.9 to 36.3), and high heterogeneity (I 2 = 84%). Two studies involving patients identified through community screening (n = 1,234) reported lower LVH prevalence (21.5%). In the meta-regression, only body mass index (BMI) z-score was significantly associated with LVH prevalence (estimate 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.39, p = 0.004) and accounted for 41% of observed heterogeneity, but not age, male percentage, BMI, or waist circumference z-score. The predominant LVH phenotype was eccentric LVH in patients from specialty clinics (prevalence of 22% in seven studies with 779 participants) and one community screening study reported the predominance of concentric LVH (12%).

CONCLUSION

Left ventricular hypertrophy is evident in at least one-fifth of children and young adults with PH and in nearly a third of those referred to specialty clinics with a predominant eccentric LVH pattern in the latter. Increased BMI is the most significant risk association for LVH in hypertensive youth.

Defining kidney outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the modern era

BACKGROUND

To define the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and hypertension (HTN) in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over a recent 9-year period.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective cohort study of all pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL at Nationwide Children's Hospital from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2016. Patient demographic and clinical data including serum creatinine and blood pressure were collected at diagnosis up to 9 years post diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 222 patients were identified for this study. The overall incidence of AKI in our cohort was high, with 101 subjects (45.5%, CI 38.8-52.3%) developing AKI at least once. CKD status could only be determined in 214 patients due to limited later GFR data. The incidence of CKD was low with only 5 of 214 patients developing CKD (2.3%, CI: 0.8-5.4%). The overall incidence of HTN at diagnosis was 45.6% (95% CI: 59.1-72%), and at 1 month post diagnosis was 65.8% (95% CI: 59.1-72.0%). Chronic HTN could only be determined in 216 patients due to limited blood pressure data. Chronic HTN was noted in 34.3% of patients (74/216, 95% CI: 28-41%).

CONCLUSIONS

Among children with ALL, the incidence of AKI is relatively high at the time of diagnosis. However, development of CKD is relatively rare, suggesting good mid-term kidney prognosis. There is a high incidence of HTN at the time of diagnosis, 1 month post diagnosis, and chronic HTN that often goes untreated. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Comparative evaluation of echocardiography indices during the transition to extrauterine life between small and appropriate for gestational age infants

OBJECTIVES

To study changes in heart function and hemodynamics during the transitional period in small for gestational (SGA) infants and appropriate (AGA) healthier counterparts.

DESIGN

A hospital based prospective observational study was performed at a perinatal center. Echocardiograms were performed on the first postnatal day and again at 48 h age. Term SGA infants were compared with those AGA newborns matched for the GA and mode of delivery.

RESULTS

Eighteen SGA infants were compared with 18 AGA infants [gestation 38 ± 1.5 vs. 38 ± 1.2 weeks, p > 0.05 and birthweight 2331 ± 345 vs. 3332 ± 405 grams, p < 0.05, respectively]. Maternal weight and body mass index was higher among non-affected pregnancies, 61% infants were born vaginally, and no differences in cord blood pH at birth were noted. SGA infants had higher systolic and mean blood pressure at both time points, lower indices of right ventricular (RV) performance [TAPSE (tricuspid annular peak systolic excursion) 7.4 ± 2.8 vs. 9.3 ± 0.7 on day 1, 7.2 ± 2.8 vs. 9.2 ± 0.5 on day 2, p = 0.001], lower pulmonary acceleration time (PAAT) suggestive of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance [56.4 ± 10.5 vs. 65.7 ± 13.2 on day 1, 61.4 ± 12.5 vs. 71.5 ± 15.7 on day 2, p = 0.01] and higher left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction [62.1 ± 7.8 vs. 54.9 ± 5.5 on day 1, 61.9 ± 7.6 vs. 55.8 ± 4.9 on day 2, p = 0.003].

CONCLUSIONS

SGA infants had evidence of higher pulmonary vascular resistance, and lower RV performance during the postnatal transition. The relevance and impact of these changes to hemodynamic disease states during the postnatal transition requires prospective investigation.

Blood pressure variability and night-time dipping assessed by 24-hour ambulatory monitoring: Cross-sectional association with cardiac structure in adolescents

Greater blood pressure (BP) is associated with greater left ventricular mass indexed to height2.7 (LVMi2.7) in adolescents. This study examined whether greater BP variability and reduced night-time dipping are associated with cardiac remodeling in a general population of adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken in 587 UK adolescents (mean age 17.7 years; 43.1% male). BP was measured in a research clinic and using 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. We examined associations (for both systolic and diastolic BP) of: 1) clinic and 24-hour mean BP; 2) measures of 24-hour BP variability: standard deviation weighted for day/night (SDdn), variability independent of the mean (VIM) and average real variability (ARV); and 3) night-time dipping with cardiac structures. Cardiac structures were assessed by echocardiography: 1) LVMi2.7; 2) relative wall thickness (RWT); 3) left atrial diameter indexed to height (LADi) and 4) left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDD). Higher systolic BP was associated with greater LVMi2.7. Systolic and diastolic BP were associated with greater RWT. Associations were inconsistent for LADi and LVIDD. There was evidence for associations between both greater SDdn and ARV and higher RWT (per 1 SD higher diastolic ARV, mean difference in RWT was 0.13 SDs, 95% CI 0.045 to 0.21); these associations with RWT remained after adjustment for mean BP. There was no consistent evidence of associations between night-time dipping and cardiac structure. Measurement of BP variability, even in adolescents with blood pressure in the physiologic range, might benefit risk of cardiovascular remodeling assessment.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Is Increased and Associated With Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension Children

Aim: Hypertension is associated with cardiac structural and functional changes, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LV systolic dysfunction diastolic dysfunction. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiovascular diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate NLR in children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and its relationship between blood pressure and cardiac changes. Methods and Subjects: Sixty-five children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and 54 healthy children were included. Clinical characteristics, blood cell counts, and biochemical parameters were collected. LVH was assessed by calculation of LV mass index (LVMI), and LV systolic function was evaluated by measuring LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening. LV diastolic function was primarily assessed with E/E' ratio by Doppler and echocardiography. Results: The hypertension children had significantly higher LVMI and E/E' ratio than the controls, whereas there was no difference in LV systolic function between the two groups. The NLR was significantly higher in the hypertension group than the control group. Moreover, NLR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels in the hypertension group. Additionally, a significantly positive correlation between NLR and E/E' ratio was found in the hypertension group. However, NLR was not related to LVH and LV systolic function indicators in hypertension children. Conclusion: NLR is elevated in hypertension children, and it is associated positively with office blood pressure levels. Moreover, NLR may help assess LV diastolic function in hypertension children.

Valsartan Dosage on Ventriculo-Vascular Coupling Index Dose-Dependency in Heart Failure Patients

PURPOSE

Heart failure (HF) poses significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, the ventriculo-vascular coupling index (VVI) was introduced as an independent prognostic factor reflective of the overall cardiovascular performance index in HF. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of force-titration of valsartan on VVI values in HF patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicenter and prospective observational trial, the effect of valsartan was stratified according to dosages [non-ceiling dose (NCD) vs. ceiling dose (CD)] in HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <55%. Biochemical studies, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiography with VVI, the treadmill test, and the activity scale index were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

One-hundred thirty-eight patients were force-titrated to either a CD group (n=81) or a NCD group (n=57). The mean age of the study participants was 59 years and 66% were male. After 6 months of follow up, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) values had significantly improved in the CD group but not in the NCD group. Intriguingly, in HF patients with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n=52, LVEF <40%), a significant improvement in VVI was only observed in the CD group (from 2.4±0.6 to 1.8±0.5, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

CDs of valsartan for 6 months showed better improvement in VVI, as well as LVMI, in patients with HFrEF, compared with NCDs.

Catheter-Based Radiofrequency Renal Sympathetic Denervation Decreases Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Dogs

This study explored the effects of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) on hyperlipidity-induced cardiac hypertrophy in beagle dogs. Sixty beagles were randomly assigned to the control group, RDN group, or sham-operated group. The control group was fed with a basal diet, while the other two groups were given a high-fat diet to induce model hypertension. The RDN group underwent an RDN procedure, and the sham-operated group underwent only renal arteriography. At 1, 3, and 6 months after the RDN procedure, the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels were markedly decreased in the RDN group relative to the sham group (P < 0.05). After 6 months, serum norepinephrine (NE) and angiotensin II (AngII), as well as left ventricular levels, in the RDN group were statistically lower than those in the sham group (P < 0.05). Also, the left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were significantly decreased, while the E/A peak ratio was drastically elevated (P < 0.05). Pathological examination showed that the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis in the RDN group was statistically decreased relative to those of the sham group and that the collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular circumferential collagen area (PVCA) were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Renal sympathetic denervation not only effectively reduced blood pressure levels in hypertensive dogs but also reduced left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis and improved left ventricular diastolic function. The underlying mechanisms may involve a reduction of NE and AngII levels in the circulation and myocardial tissues, which would lead to the delayed occurrence of left ventricular remodeling.

Early ventricular contraction in children with primary hypertension relates to left ventricular mass

AIMS

In hypertensive adults, first-phase ejection fraction (EF1), a measure of early ventricular contraction is reduced and associated with prolonged systolic contraction and diastolic dysfunction. Whether this is true in children with primary hypertension is unknown.

METHODS

Echocardiography was performed in 47 normotensive and 81 hypertensive children. Hypertensive children were stratified according to tertiles of LVMi (g/m2.7). EF1 was calculated from the fraction of LV volume ejected up to the time of peak aortic flow. E/e' was used as a measure of diastolic function. Myocardial wall stress (MWS) was calculated in a subsample of children from LV volumes and central aortic pressure. Time to onset of relaxation (TOR) was defined as time to peak MWS over ejection time.

RESULTS

Normotensive and hypertensive children were of similar age. Hypertensive children in tertiles 2 and 3 of LVMi had higher BMI z-score than normotensives. EF1 was significantly increased in hypertensive children in tertile 1 compared with normotensive children (P < 0.001), whereas in those in tertile 3, it was significantly lower than in normotensive children (P < 0.001). EF1 was negatively associated with LVMi (β = -0.505, P < 0.001), LVM (β = -0.531, P = 0.001) and E/e' ratio (β = -0.409, P < 0.001); in children who had MWS measured, TOR was negatively associated with EF1 (β = -0.303, P = 0.007) and positively associated with E/e' (β = 0.459, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

EF1 is preserved or enhanced in hypertensive children with similar LVMi to normotensive children but is increasingly reduced in those with greater LVMi. This reduction of EF1 is associated with prolonged myocardial wall stress and reduced diastolic function.

Waist circumference a clinical criterion for prediction of cardio-vascular complications in children and adolescences with overweight and obesity

Overweight and obesity in childhood are associated with early cardiovascular dysfunction and promote heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Waist circumference (WC) correlates with visceral obesity, which is why obese children with elevated WC need to be carefully monitored to prevent long-term cardio-metabolic complications. The purpose of our study was to establish if WC could be a predictor of cardiovascular complications in children.The authors conducted a retrospective study that included 160 overweight and obese children and adolescents, aged 6 to 18 years. Patients were evaluated completely anthropometrically, biologically, and imagistic. The anthropometric data tracked were height, weight, WC, and body mass index. Echocardiography evaluated the following parameters: the interventricular septum, left ventricular mass, the relative thickness of the ventricular wall, the pathological epicardial fat.Our results confirm that the presence of visceral obesity was significantly associated (χ = 11.72, P = .0006) with pathological epicardial fat. In children, visceral obesity is not a risk factor for vascular or cardiac impairment, but in adolescents, the results showed that visceral obesity is an important predictive factor for the occurrence of vascular (AUC = 0.669, P = .021) and cardiac (AUC = 0.697, P = .037) impairment. Concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is significantly influenced by the presence of visceral obesity (AUC = 0.664, P = .013 children; AUC = 0.716, P = .026 adolescents).WC above the 90th percentile is a predictive factor for increased LVM index and concentric hypertrophy in both children and adolescents.

Predictors and Consequences of Pediatric Hypertension: Have Advanced Echocardiography and Vascular Testing Arrived?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pediatric hypertension is relatively common and associated with future adult hypertension. Elevated blood pressure in youth predicts future adult cardiovascular disease and blood pressure control can prevent progression of pediatric kidney disease. However, pediatric blood pressure is highly variable within a given child and among children in a population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Therefore, modalities to index aggregate and cumulative blood pressure status are of potential benefit in identifying youth in danger of progression from a risk factor of subclinical phenotypic alteration to clinically apparent event. In this review, we advocate for the health risk stratification roles of echocardiographically assessed cardiac remodeling, arterial stiffness assessment, and assessment by ultrasound of arterial thickening in children and adolescents with hypertension.

Blood pressure is normal, but is the heart?

BACKGROUND

There is no detailed strain analysis of cardiac functions in treated hypertensive pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardio-protective effects of different drug classes in treated pediatric hypertensive patients.

METHODS

Sixty non-obese-treated hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function and 45 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects underwent clinical evaluation, including 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, standard echocardiographic examination, tissue Doppler imaging, and two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography. The patients were divided into two subgroups based on the effects of the drugs on the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System. The subgroup hypertension (HT) 1 received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, and HT 2 subgroup received calcium channel blocker, β-blocker, or diuretics.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the two groups and subgroups with respect to clinical, demographic, ABPM, ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters. For patients and controls, respectively, global longitudinal strain was - 18.70 ± 3.41 versus - 21.01 ± 3.82 (P < 0.001), and global radial strain was 40.6 ± 9.8 versus 54.8 ± 12.8 (P = 0.004). Peak LV twist and peak LV torsion were not significantly different. The patient subgroup analyses with each other revealed no difference in systolic and diastolic myocardial deformation properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Strain parameters were reduced in all treated hypertensive children compared to normotensive children, and the various cardiac mechanic parameters were similarly abnormal no matter what type of antihypertensive agent was used.

Evaluation of left ventricular function in overweight children and teenagers with arterial hypertension and white coat hypertension

BACKGROUND

Obesity in childhood is strongly associated with elevated arterial blood pressure and risk of hypertension. The aim of the study was the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function in hypertensive and white coat hypertensive overweight children and teenagers.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 74 overweight patients aged 10.3 ± 3.1 years (range: 6-16 years) diagnosed as hypertensive in standard blood pressure measurement. The control group consisted of 31 normotensive and normoweight children. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and echocardiographic assessment of the LV mass and function were performed in all participants.

RESULTS

Using ABPM hypertension was confirmed in 20 (27%) children. In the 54 (73%) remaining children white coat hypertension was diagnosed. The analysis of echocardiographic parameters revealed higher LV mass index (LVMI) in hypertensive overweight than in normotensive normoweight children (47.5 ± 9.2 g/m2.7 vs. 39.8 ± 12.1 g/m2.7; p < 0.05) and no difference between overweight hypertensive and white coat hypertension-hypertensive groups. The deceleration time of mitral early filling (DCT) was longer in hypertensive normoweight children than in normotensive overweight patients (219.5 ± 110.3 ms vs. 197.8 ± 65.8 ms; p < 0.05). A significant correlation between systolic blood pressure load (SBPL) and DCT (r = 0.57) and moderate correlation between SBPL and LVMI (r: 0.48) as well as between LVMI and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = 0.37) were found.

CONCLUSIONS

In overweight children the diagnosis of hypertension should be confirmed in ABPM because of the high prevalence of white coat hypertension. Periodic echocardiographic examinations should be recommended in overweight children with increased SBPL and decreased systolic nocturnal deep because of the possibility of LV function impairment.

Geometrical and functional changes of left heart in adults with prehypertension and hypertension: a cross-sectional study from China

Background

Studies regarding the association between prehypertension and the structual changes of left heart are scanty. However, which type of the geometrical change of left heart is predominated one in prehypertension and hypertension is controversial. It is therefore important to investigate geometrical and functional changes of left heart in adults with prehypertension and hypertension because of their prognostic significance.

Methods

The study was based on a cross-sectional design, a total of 10547 participants were classified into normotension group, prehypertension group and hypertension group. We analyzed clinical characteristics, echocardiographic parameters and distribution of left ventricular (LV) geometrical patterns in different groups.

Results

Participants with prehypertension had higher values of most of echocardiographic parameters than those with normotension. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) was statistically different among three groups (P <0.001), and the rates of LVH in the three groups were 5.9, 8.6, 28.4 % by indexation to height^2.7 and 4.9, 5.3, 19.3 % by indexation to BSA, respectively. The prevalence rates of eccentric hypertrophy, concentric remodeling and concentric hypertrophy were 7.3 %, 5.3 % and 1.4 % in prehypertension group, and 17.8 %, 8.8 % and 10.6 % in hypertension group. Logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean artery pressure (MAP) were all independent risk factors for left cardiac structural changes, and pulse pressure (PP) was independent risk factor for concentric and eccentric hypertrophy. Among four indices, DBP levels with OR values of 1.192, 1.759 and 1.278 were the strongest indicator for concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy, respectively (P <0.001).

Conclusions

There exists LV geometrical change in adults with prehypertension and hypertension in rural Chinese population, and the eccentric hypertrophy was the highest proportion of geometric alterations. SBP, DBP, MAP and PP were all positively associated with left cardiac structural changes, and the association of DBP was the strongest.