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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Cardiac structure and function and arterial circulation in hypertensive patients with and without metabolic syndrome

L A Ferrara1, L Guida, F Ferrara

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Naples, Italy. ferrara@unina.it

Journal of Human Hypertension
|May 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic syndrome (MS) affects nearly one-third of hypertensive patients, leading to heart damage. While MS worsens cardiac structure and function, it does not impact peripheral arterial circulation independently of blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • High blood pressure (BP) is a key factor in metabolic syndrome (MS).
  • The independent impact of MS on cardiovascular organ damage, beyond BP, requires further investigation.
  • International Diabetes Federation criteria are used for MS diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess cardiovascular organ damage in hypertensive patients with and without MS.
  • To determine if MS impacts cardiovascular damage independently of BP.
  • To evaluate cardiac and vascular changes in hypertensive patients with MS.

Main Methods:

  • 340 hypertensive patients and 100 normotensive controls were studied.
  • Methods included physical examination, BP monitoring, lab tests, echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, and ankle-brachial BP index.
  • Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation criteria.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic syndrome was present in 30.6% of hypertensive patients.
  • Patients with MS showed higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and larger left atrium.
  • The ratio of early-to-late peak LV filling velocities (E/A) was significantly higher in hypertensive patients with MS.
  • Both hypertensive groups had increased left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness compared to normotensives.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in hypertensive patients and associated with cardiac structural and functional deterioration.
  • Hypertensive patients with MS exhibit impaired cardiac function compared to those without MS.
  • No significant differences in carotid or peripheral arterial circulation were observed between hypertensive groups with and without MS.

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