Effects of large artery stiffness on left ventricular remodeling and function in patients with essential hypertension

Objective To explore the effects of large artery stiffness on left ventricular remodeling and function in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) as the parameters reflecting central elastic large arterial and peripheral muscular medium-sized arterial elasticity respectively. 246 untreated hypertensive patients and 36 healthy subjects were recruited in the study. Echocardiography was underwent to evaluate cardiac structure and function, and hypertensive patients were divided into left ventricular normal geometry group and left ventricular remodeling group according to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT). Results CFPWV was higher in hypertensive patients with left ventricular remodeling than that in age-and gender-matched patients with left ventricular normal geometry (P 0.01 ) or healthy subjects (P0.05). CFPWV, but not CRPWV had significant correlations with RWT (r=0.133, P= 0.028 ), LVMI (r=0.122, P=0.044), E/A ratio (r=-0.313, P0.001) and ETVI/ATVI (r=-0.345, P0.001).A stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that CFPWV was significantly and independently related with E/A ratio (Beta=-0.216, P0.001) and RWT (Beta=0.182, P=0.002). Conclusion Elevated large arterial stiffness has a close relationship with left ventricular remodeling and decreased diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension.