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Ambulatory pulse pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy and function in arterial hypertension

Vito Rizzo1, Fernando di Maio, Federica Petretto

  • 1Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, 00123 Rome, Italy. vitorizzo.email@virgilio.it

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|January 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High ambulatory pulse pressure (APP) in hypertensive patients is linked to adverse cardiac changes. Echocardiography can enhance the prognostic value of APP for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Wide pulse pressure (PP) is a known cardiovascular risk indicator.
  • The prognostic value of ambulatory pulse pressure (APP) in hypertensive patients is less understood.
  • This study investigates APP's role in cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between high APP, atrial volumes, and cardiac function in hypertensive patients.
  • To determine if APP can predict cardiovascular risk.
  • To assess the utility of echocardiography in conjunction with APP.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of 108 untreated hypertensive patients.
  • Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography performed.
  • Patients grouped by clinic and ambulatory pulse pressure (>60 mmHg vs. <60 mmHg).

Main Results:

  • High APP group showed enlarged left atrial volume, increased left ventricular mass index, and impaired diastolic function.
  • Positive correlations found between left ventricular dimensions, left atrial volume, and left ventricular mass index in the high APP group.
  • Clinic PP correlated with cardiac parameters only in the high APP group.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated APP is a potential predictor of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.
  • Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function and morphology enhances the prognostic value of APP.
  • High APP may indicate underlying cardiac structural and functional changes.
Abstract

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