Relationship Between Vascular Aging and Left Ventricular Concentric Geometry in Community-Dwelling Elderly: The Northern Shanghai Study

Left Ventricular Geometry and Inferior Vena Cava Diameter Co-Modify the Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Background and Objectives: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents a significant cardiovascular risk in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (CHD). A large inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD), potentially indicative of fluid overload and a contributing factor to elevated cardiovascular risk, has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, our study aims to gain further insights into this aspect. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study enrolled patients receiving CHD in a single medical center with available echocardiography from October to December 2018. They were categorized into four groups based on LVH geometry and IVCD. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the risk of major adverse cardiovascular effects (MACEs) and cardiovascular and overall mortality after multivariate adjustments. Kaplan-Meier analysis depicted MACE-free events and survival during the follow-up time. Results: Of the 175 CHD patients, 38, 42, 45, and 50 exhibited small IVCD with eccentric and concentric LVH and large IVCD with eccentric and concentric LVH, respectively. Compared to small IVCD and eccentric LVH, large IVCD and eccentric LVH had the highest risk of MACEs, followed by large IVCD and concentric LVH (aHR: 4.40, 3.60; 95% CI: 1.58-12.23, 1.28-10.12, respectively). As for cardiovascular mortality, large IVCD and concentric LVH had the highest risk, followed by large IVCD and eccentric LVH, and small IVCD and concentric LVH. (aHR: 14.34, 10.23, 8.87; 95% CI: 1.99-103.35, 1.41-74.33; 1.01-77.87). The trend in overall mortality risk among the groups was similar to that of cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions: LVH geometry and IVCD co-modify the risk of MACEs and cardiovascular and overall mortality in CHD patients. The highest risk of MACEs is associated with large IVCD and eccentric LVH, while the highest risk of cardiovascular and overall mortality is linked with large IVCD and concentric LVH.

Differential associations between abnormal cardiac left ventricular geometry types and cerebral white matter disease

OBJECTIVES

Reduced cardiac outflow due to left ventricular hypertrophy has been suggested as a potential risk factor for development of cerebral white matter disease. Our study aimed to examine the correlation between left ventricular geometry and white matter disease volume to establish a clearer understanding of their relationship, as it is currently not well-established.

METHODS

Consecutive patients from 2016 to 2021 who were ≥18 years and underwent echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and brain MRI within one year were included. Four categories of left ventricular geometry were defined based on left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness on echocardiography. White matter disease volume was quantified using an automated algorithm applied to axial T2 FLAIR images and compared across left ventricular geometry categories.

RESULTS

We identified 112 patients of which 34.8 % had normal left ventricular geometry, 20.5 % had eccentric hypertrophy, 21.4 % had concentric remodeling, and 23.2 % had concentric hypertrophy. White matter disease volume was highest in patients with concentric hypertrophy and concentric remodeling, compared to eccentric hypertrophy and normal morphology with a trend-P value of 0.028. Patients with higher relative wall thickness had higher white matter disease volume (10.73 ± 10.29 cc vs 5.89 ± 6.46 cc, P = 0.003), compared to those with normal relative wall thickness.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that abnormal left ventricular geometry is associated with higher white matter disease burden, particularly among those with abnormal relative wall thickness. Future studies are needed to explore causative relationships and potential therapeutic options that may mediate the adverse left ventricular remodeling and its effect in slowing white matter disease progression.

Dysfunctional mitochondria elicit bioenergetic decline in the aged heart

Aging represents a complex biological progression affecting the entire body, marked by a gradual decline in tissue function, rendering organs more susceptible to stress and diseases. The human heart holds significant importance in this context, as its aging process poses life-threatening risks. It entails macroscopic morphological shifts and biochemical changes that collectively contribute to diminished cardiac function. Among the numerous pivotal factors in aging, mitochondria play a critical role, intersecting with various molecular pathways and housing several aging-related agents. In this comprehensive review, we provide an updated overview of the functional role of mitochondria in cardiac aging.

New-onset aortic dilatation in the population: a quarter-century follow-up

BACKGROUND

Aortic size tends to increase with aging but the extent of this dynamic process has not been evaluated in long-term longitudinal population-based studies. We investigated the incidence of new-onset aortic root (AR) dilatation and its principal correlates among middle-aged adults over a 25-year time period.

METHODS

A total of 471 participants with measurable echocardiographic parameters at baseline and after a 25-year follow-up were included in the analysis. Sex-specific upper limits of normality for absolute AR diameter, AR diameter indexed to body surface area (BSA) and to height were derived from healthy normotensive PAMELA participants.

RESULTS

New AR dilatation occurred in 7.4% (AR/BSA), 9.1% (AR/height) and 14.6% (absolute AR), respectively. According to the AR/height index, the risk of new dilation was similar in men and women. As for echocardiographic parameters, baseline AR diameter emerged as a key predictor of AR dilation, regardless of the diagnostic criteria and the 10-year change in LVMI was positively associated to new AR/height dilatation. No significant relationship was observed between baseline office and ambulatory systolic/diastolic blood pressure or their changes over time with incident AR dilatation. Baseline and the 25-year change in 24-h pulse pressure were negatively related to new AR dilatation.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of AR dilatation from mid to late adulthood occurs in a small but clinically relevant fraction of participants and is unaffected by both office and out-office BP. It is significant related to baseline AR diameter and to the 25-year change in LVMI. Our data suggest that echocardiography performed in middle-aged individuals of both sexes may identify those at increased risk of future AR dilatation; moreover, preventing LVH may reduce the risk of progressive AR enlargement.

The relationship between the weight-adjusted-waist index and left ventricular hypertrophy in Chinese hypertension adults

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major cardiac complication of hypertension. Weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is a new obesity index that has been found to be positively associated with cardiovascular disease mortality. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the WWI and LVH in Chinese hypertension adults. The study is a community-based cross-sectional study that included 4715 patients with hypertension and integrated clinical and echocardiographic data. LVH was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography in these patients based on a criterion of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) over 49.2 g/m^2.7 in men and 46.7 g/m^2.7 in women. The independent association between the WWI quartiles and LVH prevalence was analyzed by logistic regression models. The prevalence of LVH in the first quartile of WWI (Q1: <10.16), second (Q2: 10.16 ~ 10.67), the third (Q3: 10.68~11.19), and the highest quartile (Q4: ≥11.20) was 34.1%, 38.4%, 42.4%, 51.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the WWI was independently correlated with LVH with adjustment of confounding factors, and increased across the quartile of WWI. Compared to the first quartile of WWI (Q1), the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LVH in the increasing quartiles (Q2-Q4) were 1.33(1.08-1.63), 1.50 (1.19-1.89) and 2.28(1.74-2.99), respectively. In stratified analyses, the relationship between WWI and LVH risk persisted. The WWI may be an independent determinant of LVH in Chinese hypertension adults.

Simplified regimen for the management of hypertension with telemedicine and blood pressure self-monitoring (SIMPLE): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Telemedicine and blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring conduces to management of hypertension. Recent hypertension guidelines highly recommended single pill combination (SPC) for the initial treatment of essential hypertension. Based on this fact, an SPC-based telemedicine titration regimen with BP self-monitoring could be a better way in managing hypertension. This trial aims to elucidate whether telemedicine combined with BP self-monitoring is superior to self-monitoring alone during hypertension management.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study will be a multicentred, open-labelled, randomised controlled trial. A minimum sample of 358 hypertensive patients with uncontrolled BP from four centres will be included. The intervention group will include BP self-monitoring and tele-monitoring plus a free SPC-based telemedicine titration therapy for 6 months, they will be recommended to take BP measurements at least once every 7 days, in the meantime, researchers will call to give a consultation on lifestyle or titration advice once a fortnight. The control group will be required to self-monitor BP at the same time interval as intervention group, without any therapy change. Primary outcome of the trial will be the difference in systolic blood pressure at 6-month follow-up between intervention and control group, adjusted for baseline variables. Secondary outcomes such as BP control rate, major adverse cardiovascular events, medication adherence, quality of life will be investigated.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was granted by Ethical Committee of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital (SHSY-IEC-4.1/20-194/01). The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed literature, and to policy-makers and healthcare partners.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2000037217.

Relationship between vascular ageing and left ventricular geometry in patients with newly diagnosed primary aldosteronism

BACKGROUND

Changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry are early manifestations of cardiac damage. The relationship between vascular aging and LV geometry has been reported. However, in newly diagnosed primary aldosteronism (PA), with more severe target organ damage than essential hypertension, the relationship between vascular aging and LV geometry has never been described.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study among newly diagnosed PA from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2021 at the Third Xiangya Hospital. The data of vascular aging parameters were collected, including ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Echocardiography data were collected to assess LV geometry patterns.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients with newly diagnosed PA were included. The mean age was 44.77 ± 9.79 years, and 46.58% participants were women. Linear regression analysis adjusting all potential confounders showed that cIMT was significantly associated with LV mass index (LVMI) (β=0.164, P=0.028) and baPWV was significantly associated with relative wall thickness (RWT) (β= 0.00005, P=0.025). Multifactorial adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that cIMT was significantly associated with LV hypertrophy (LVH) (OR=7.421, 95%CI: 1.717-815.688, P=0.021) and baPWV was significantly associated with LV concentric geometry (LVCG) (OR=1.003, 95%CI: 1.001-1.006, P=0.017).

CONCLUSION

baPWV was significantly associated with LVCG and cIMT was significantly associated with LVH in newly diagnosed PA. This study provides insights on the importance of baPWV measurement and cIMT measurement in early assessment of cardiac damage in newly diagnosed PA.

The high normal ankle brachial index is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension patients among the Han Chinese

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common target organs damage in the hypertension patients. Abnormal low (≤0.9) or high (≥1.40) ankle brachial index (ABI) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationships between a high ABI in the normal range (0.9–1.4) and LVH in Han Chinese hypertension are not entirely elucidated. This study included 3953 hypertension patients aged 40–75 years among Han Chinese. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure≥90 mm Hg, or history of antihypertensive drug use. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. LVH was diagnosed by using the criteria of LVM ≥49.2 g/m^2.7 for men and 46.7 g/m^2.7 for women. Our study suggested that the ABI was higher in patients with LVH than in those without (1.13±0.11, 1.11±0.11, p < 0.001). The prevalence of LVH in patients with the lowest (0.9 < ABI≤1.03), second (1.04≤ABI≤1.11), the third (1.12≤ABI≤1.20), and the highest quartile (1.21≤ABI < 1.40) of ABI was 37.2%, 38.2%, 45.5%, 45.7%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the highest and third quartile of ABI were significantly associated with increased LVH risk (multivariate‐adjusted OR of highest group:1.83; third group:1.61). The association of ABI at second quartile with LVH was nonsignificant. Similar results were observed in less than 60 years and without coronary heart disease or diabetes group. Our observations in Chinese patients with hypertension indicated high ABI may be an important risk factor for LVH in hypertension patients among Han Chinese, even in the normal range.