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Plasma C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 is associated with left ventricular mass index and aortic root diameter in

M A Al-Omari1, M Khaleghi, T H Mosley

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Journal of Human Hypertension
|February 26, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Plasma levels of C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-pro-ET-1) are linked to increased left ventricular mass and aortic root diameter in hypertensive African Americans. This suggests CT-pro-ET-1 may indicate target-organ damage in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoactive peptide implicated in hypertension-related target-organ damage.
  • Hypertension disproportionately affects African Americans, increasing their risk for cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-pro-ET-1) levels and cardiac/aortic structural changes.
  • To determine if CT-pro-ET-1 is an independent marker of target-organ damage in hypertensive African Americans.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma CT-pro-ET-1 levels were measured in 1041 hypertensive African Americans using an immunoluminometric assay.
  • Left ventricular mass (indexed to height^2.7) and aortic root diameter were assessed via echocardiography.
  • Multivariable regression analyses were employed to evaluate associations, adjusting for multiple clinical and demographic factors.

Main Results:

  • Plasma CT-pro-ET-1 showed a modest correlation with both left ventricular mass and aortic root diameter.
  • After adjusting for confounders, CT-pro-ET-1 remained significantly associated with greater left ventricular mass and larger aortic root diameter.
  • These associations were independent of age, sex, BMI, lipids, diabetes, cardiovascular history, and medication use.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma CT-pro-ET-1 is independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and aortic root dilation in hypertensive African Americans.
  • CT-pro-ET-1 may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting subclinical target-organ damage in this high-risk population.
  • Further research can explore the clinical utility of CT-pro-ET-1 in managing hypertension and preventing cardiovascular events.

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