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Endothelial dysfunction predicts regression of hypertensive cardiac mass
Francesco Perticone1, Raffaele Maio, Maria Perticone
1Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Italy. perticone@unicz.it
International Journal of Cardiology
|April 14, 2012
Summary
Endothelial function, measured by acetylcholine-stimulated forearm blood flow, influences left ventricular mass changes in hypertensive patients. This finding is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Subclinical organ damage increases cardiovascular event risk.
- Endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular mass (LVM) predict cardiovascular events in hypertension.
- LVM in hypertensives correlates inversely with endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the progression or regression of LVM.
- To determine if endothelial function impacts LVM changes in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- 170 hypertensive outpatients underwent LVM calculation (Devereux formula, indexed by surface area).
- Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was assessed via intra-arterial acetylcholine (ACh) infusions.
- Forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to ACh were measured.
Main Results:
- Blood pressure and LVM showed no significant decrease during follow-up.
- Annual LVM variation was correlated with baseline ACh-stimulated FBF and BMI.
- Baseline FBF was the sole covariate significantly associated with LVM variation, independent of treatment and BP reduction.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial function plays a significant role in the progression and regression of LVM.
- This relationship is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and antihypertensive therapy.
- Forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine is a key predictor of LVM changes in hypertension.
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