Relation of common carotid intima-media thickness with left ventricular mass caused by shared risk factors for
Matthijs F L Meijs1, Pieter A Doevendans, Maarten J Cramer
1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
The link between common carotid intima-media thickness (cCIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) appears driven by hypertrophy risk factors, not atherosclerosis, in hypertensive patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- The association between common carotid intima-media thickness (cCIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) is not fully understood.
- It remains unclear if shared risk factors for atherosclerosis or hypertrophy underlie this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cCIMT and LVM in hypertensive individuals.
- To determine whether atherosclerotic or hypertrophic risk factors are primarily associated with the cCIMT-LVM link.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 525 hypertensive subjects at high cardiovascular risk.
- Analysis of the correlation between cCIMT, LVM, and established vascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- cCIMT showed a positive association with LVM.
- The relationship persisted after adjusting for atherosclerotic risk factors.
- Blood pressure and hypertension treatment attenuated the cCIMT-LVM association.
Conclusions:
- The link between cCIMT and LVM may be significantly influenced by factors contributing to hypertrophy.
- Atherosclerotic risk factors appear to play a lesser role in this specific association.
Background:
It is unclear whether the relationship between common carotid intima-media thickness (cCIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) is due to shared risk factors for atherosclerosis or for hypertrophy.
Methods:
In 525 hypertensive subjects at high cardiovascular risk, the relation of cCIMT to LVM and established vascular risk factors was studied.
Results:
CCIMT was positively related to LVM. In a multivariable model including age, gender, height, weight, and LVM, a 1-g increase in LVM related to an increase in cCIMT of 1.6 microm (95% confidence interval, 0.8-2.4). After adjustment for atherosclerotic risk factors, notably previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, peripheral arterial disease, lipid-lowering medication, albuminuria and current smoking, the relation remained unchanged. In contrast, addition of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and hypertension treatment attenuated Beta for the relation between cCIMT and LVM with 19% to 1.3 microm (95% confidence interval, 0.2-2.2).
Conclusion:
The relationship between cCIMT and LVM may be due to risk factors for hypertrophy rather than for atherosclerotic factors in a considerable proportion of patients.
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