Relation between renal function within the normal range and central and peripheral arterial stiffness in hypertension

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease is associated with arterial stiffness.
• The relationship between near-normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness is not well understood.
• Essential hypertension can impact renal function and vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between GFR within the reference range and central/peripheral arterial stiffness.
• To investigate the independent predictors of arterial stiffness in never-treated hypertensive patients.

Main Methods:

• Noninvasive pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used to measure aortic (central elastic artery) and upper-limb (peripheral muscular artery) stiffness.
• GFR was estimated using the Mayo clinic equation.
• Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed.

Main Results:

• GFR was inversely correlated with both aortic PWV (r=-0.34) and upper-limb PWV (r=-0.25).
• Aortic PWV was independently predicted by age, mean arterial pressure, and GFR.
• Upper-limb PWV was independently predicted by GFR and mean arterial pressure.

Conclusions:

• In hypertensive patients with normal renal function, a reduced GFR is associated with increased stiffness of both central and peripheral arteries.
• These findings suggest that even within the normal range, GFR may play a role in arterial stiffness, independent of common confounders.