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Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial stiffness: the Ohasama study

Daisuke Watabe1, Junichiro Hashimoto, Rieko Hatanaka

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science and Medicine, Aoba, Aramaki, Sendai, Japan.

American Journal of Hypertension
|December 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is independently linked to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in the general population, even after accounting for blood pressure. This finding highlights arterial stiffness as a significant risk factor for LVH.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • The independent contribution of arterial stiffness to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) beyond blood pressure (BP) remains unclear.
  • Investigating the relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and LVH is crucial for understanding cardiovascular remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if arterial stiffness, assessed by brachial-to-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is independently associated with LVH.
  • To explore the role of arterial stiffness as a risk factor for LVH in a large population cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Brachial-to-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measured in 798 individuals.
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) diagnosed using electrocardiographic criteria (Cornell voltage-duration product or Sokolow-Lyon voltage).
  • Development of a theoretical baPWV nomogram for a healthy group to calculate a PWV index; multivariate analyses performed.

Main Results:

  • A predictive model for theoretical baPWV was established: baPWV = 0.20 x age + 0.13 x MAP + 0.05 x HR - 11.74 (R²=0.56).
  • The PWV index was significantly higher in individuals with LVH compared to those without (P=.025).
  • Increased baPWV was independently associated with LVH, along with Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), and medications for hypertension and diabetes. A 1 SD increase in baPWV correlated with a 26% higher risk of LVH (P=.022).

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of electrocardiographically determined LVH in the general population.
  • The prevalence of LVH increases linearly with the number of risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and elevated baPWV.
Abstract

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