Relation between Oscillometric Measurement of Central Hemodynamics and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The augmentation index (AIx) or central systolic blood pressure (SBP), measured by radial applanation tonometry, has been reported to be independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in Japanese hypertensive patients. Cuff-based oscillometric measurement of the AIx using Mobil-O-Graph® showed a low or moderate agreement with the AIx measurement with other devices. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The AIx measured using the Mobil-O-Graph was validated against the tonometric measurements of the radial AIx measured using HEM-9000AI in 110 normotensive healthy individuals (age, 21–76 years; 50 men). We investigated the relationship between the central hemodynamics assessed using the Mobil-O-Graph and LVH in 100 hypertensive patients (age, 54–75 years; 48 men), presenting a wall thickness of ≥11 mm and ≥10 mm in men and women, respectively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Although the Mobil-O-Graph-measured central AIx showed no negative values, it correlated moderately with the HEM-9000AI-measured radial AIx (<i>r</i> = 0.602, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) in the normotensive individuals. The hypertensive patients did not show a significant difference in the central SBP between the sexes, but the central AIx was lower in men than in women. The independent determinants influencing left ventricle (LV) mass index (LVMI) (<i>R</i>² = 0.362; adjusted <i>R</i>² = 0.329, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) were heart rate (β = −0.568 ± 0.149, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), central SBP (β = 0.290 ± 0.100, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and aortic root diameter (β = 1.355 ± 0.344, <i>p</i> = 0.001). Age (β = −0.025 ± 0.124, <i>p</i> = 0.841) and the central AIx (β = 0.120 ± 0.131, <i>p</i> = 0.361) were not independently associated with the LVMI. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the central AIx for the presence of LVH (LVMI &#x3e;118 g/m² in men or &#x3e;108 g/m² in women) was statistically significant in men (0.875, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) but not in women (0.622, <i>p</i> = 0.132). In men, a central AIx of 28.06% had a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 80.0% for detecting LVH. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> AIx measurement in men provided useful prognostic information for the presence of LVH. Pulse-wave analysis assessed using the Mobil-O-Graph may be a valuable tool for detecting LVH in hypertensive patients.

Presence of Microvascular Dysfunction and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Patients with ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed to investigate the relation between CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and microvascular dysfunction (MVD) assessed by the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) immediately after primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). <b><i>Subjects and Methods:</i></b> The study included 115 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent successful PPCI. Angiographic results of reperfusion were inspected to evaluate the association of high CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and IMR. Also, we assessed echocardiographic changes with respect to CHA₂DS₂-VASc score. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Subjects were stratified into 2 groups based on IMR &#x3c;/≥ 40 U; 72 patients (62.6) with IMR &#x3c;40 U and 43 patients (37.4) with IMR ≥40 U. Patients with IMR ≥40 U had higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was significantly correlated with increased left atrial volume index, diastolic dysfunction, wall motion score index, and inversely correlated left ventricular ejection. Moreover, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was strongly correlated with IMR (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). At multivariate analysis, low systolic blood pressure, stent diameter, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score were associated with MVD. Besides, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥4 was the optimal value in predicting MVD (IMR ≥40) in STEMI patients. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The data of the current study point out that increased CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, lower systolic blood pressure &#x3c;90 mm Hg, and stent diameter are associated with increased incidence of MVD (increased IMR) after PPCI of STEMI. We suggest that the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score may be a simple, inexpensive useful risk score for the prediction of MVD risk after PPCI for STEMI patients.

Circulating Serum Copper Is Associated with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, but Not Venous Thromboembolism: A Prospective Cohort Study

<b><i>Background and Objective:</i></b> Serum copper has been linked to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the potential association between serum copper and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is not known. The principal aim was to evaluate the potential prospective association between serum copper and VTE risk. A secondary aim was to confirm or refute previously reported associations between serum copper and atherosclerotic CVD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Serum copper was measured at baseline using atomic absorption spectrometry in 2,492 men aged 42–61 years without a history of VTE in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease prospective cohort study. Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for VTE. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During a median follow-up of 27.0 years, 166 VTE events occurred. The risk of VTE per 1 standard deviation increase in serum copper in age-adjusted analysis was HR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.88–1.20, which was attenuated to HR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.82–1.19, following further adjustment for several established and emerging risk factors. Comparing the top versus bottom tertiles of serum copper, the corresponding adjusted HRs were 1.16 (95% CI: 0.80–1.66) and 1.11 (95% CI: 0.74–1.68), respectively. In 1,901 men without a history of coronary heart disease (CHD), the multivariable-adjusted HR for CHD was 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10–1.59) comparing extreme tertiles of serum copper. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In middle-aged Finnish men, we confirmed previously reported associations between high serum copper levels and increased risk of atherosclerotic CVD, but serum copper was not associated with future VTE risk. Other large-scale prospective studies conducted in women, other age-groups, and other populations are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Brachial Artery “Low-Flow Mediated Constriction” Is Associated with Myocardial Perfusion Defect Severity and Mediated by an Altered Flow Pattern during Occlusion

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The relationship between low flow-mediated constriction (LFMC), a new proposed measure of endothelial function, with cardiovascular disease severity and its hypothesized stimulus, that is, low flow, has not been comprehensively evaluated. The study evaluated association between change in brachial artery diameter during constriction with severity of myocardial perfusion defect (PD) and alterations in different components of flow profile. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Brachial artery responses to occlusion were assessed in 91 patients and 30 healthy subjects. Change in anterograde and retrograde blood flow velocities (delta anterograde blood flow velocity and retrograde blood flow velocity), anterograde shear rate and retrograde shear rate (delta ASR and RSR, respectively), and oscillatory shear index (delta) during forearm occlusion at 50 mm Hg above systolic pressure, from baseline was calculated. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated in patients using exercise single positron emission computed tomography and % myocardial PD was calculated from summed stress score. <b><i>Results:</i></b> LFMC emerged as independent predictor of defect severity after correcting for age and gender (<i>p</i> = 0.014). Sixty-seven patients (73.6%) and 15 healthy subjects (50%) showed constriction during occlusion. In stepwise backward regression analysis, RSR contributed 35.5% and ASR contributed 20.1% of the total 63.9% variability in artery diameter during occlusion. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The results suggest that LFMC is independently associated with myocardial perfusion severity and is “mediated” by an altered flow profile during occlusion.

Assessment of Arterial Stiffness, Brachial Haemodynamics, and Central Haemodynamics in Diabetic Hypertensives: A Pulse Wave Analysis-Based Case-Control Study from an Urban Area of West India

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes frequently coexist, imposing significant cardiovascular risk that is normally studied in terms of brachial blood pressure (bBP). Direct and superior parameters like central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness are studied scarcely. Pulse wave analysis (PWA) offers a non-invasive measurement of the same that we studied in diabetic hypertensives. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> We conducted a case-control study on 333 treated diabetic hypertensive cases and 333 euglycaemic normotensive controls. Oscillometric PWA was performed by Mobil-o-Graph (IEM, Aachen, Germany). Parameters were further analysed in relation to gender, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), glycaemic control, blood pressure control, and disease duration (cut-off 5 years). Multiple linear regressions were done to find significant associations. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Cases had significantly higher brachial haemodynamics (blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and rate pressure product); arterial stiffness measures (augmentation pressure, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, total arterial stiffness, and pulse pressure amplification), and central haemodynamics (central blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke work) than controls. In the case group, female gender, BMI ≥23, and uncontrolled blood pressures were significant factors that affected the results while other factors such as glycaemic control, physical activity, and duration did not. HR was significantly associated with study parameters. Brachial pressures were not significantly associated with corresponding aortic pressures. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Diabetic hypertensives had adverse profile of cardiovascular parameters beyond bBP, related to female gender, and HTN and its control, more than that of diabetes. This baseline work suggests further study on these potential parameters.

Hypertensive Heart Failure in Asia

Hypertension (HT) is an important risk factor for heart failure (HF). The prevalence of HT among the HF population is higher in Asia than in other regions around the world. In Asia, HT is the most common cause of HF after ischemic heart disease. Hypertensive HF (HHF) results from structural and functional adaptations of the heart, which lead to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH). Hypertensive LVH can cause ventricular diastolic dysfunction and becomes a risk factor for myocardial infarction, which is a well-known cause of LV systolic dysfunction. Asymptomatic systolic and diastolic LV dysfunction easily progress to clinically overt HF with other precipitating factors. Although the precise pathophysiology of HHF is still unclear, we have known that HHF can be reversed by effective control of blood pressure (BP). Thus, HT control is essential not only for primary prevention but also for the secondary prevention of HF. Here, we reviewed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, outcome, and implication of BP management in HHF patients, especially in the Asian population.

Sickle Cell Disease-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review of Pathophysiology, Management, and Current Literature

Sickle cell disease is an inherited hemoglobinopathy leading to the synthesis of hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S results in the formation of abnormal sickle-shaped erythrocytes that lead to hematologic abnormalities such as hemolytic anemia and increased risks of thrombosis. Another particular problem encountered with the disease is pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the prevalence, pathophysiology mechanisms, diagnostic techniques, treatment options, and prognostic indicators in the setting of sickle cell disease with pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, the review also highlights other advancements that are being investigated. Considering the significant morbidity, mortality, and prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with sickle cell disease, it is important to account for the aforementioned domains in the future guidelines to provide optimal and individualized care to the high-risk individuals as well as reduce the progression of disease, morbidity, and mortality rates.

Similar Myocardial Perfusion and Vascular Stiffness in Children and Adolescents with High Lipoprotein (a) Levels, in Comparison with Healthy Controls

<b><i>Background and Aims:</i></b> This study investigated the possible correlation between elevated lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels and early vascular aging biomarkers in healthy children and adolescents. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Twenty-seven healthy children/adolescents, mean age 9.9 ± 3.7 years, with high Lp(a) levels without other lipid abnormalities and 27 age- and sex-matched controls with normal Lp(a) levels, were included in the study. The investigation of possible early vascular aging was assessed by measuring vascular function indices: carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Although serum lipid values were within normal levels, mean values of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were higher in the group of children with high Lp(a) levels than controls (<i>p</i> = 0.006 and <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, respectively). Vascular function indices did not show significant differences, neither between the 2 groups nor in the subgroups of children with increased Lp(a) levels. These subgroups were defined by the presence or absence of family history of premature coronary artery disease. Lp(a) levels did not show a significant correlation with the other parameters studied, both regarding the whole sample (patients and controls), as well as in the subgroups of elevated Lp(a) levels. However, in the group of children with high Lp(a) levels, c-IMT and PWV were positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (<i>r</i> = 0.427, <i>p</i> = 0.026 and <i>r</i> = 0.425, <i>p</i> = 0.030, respectively), while SEVR was negatively correlated with AIx (<i>r</i> = −0.455, <i>p</i> = 0.017). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Healthy children and adolescents with high Lp(a) levels do not yet have impaired vascular indices, compared to controls. However, in order to prevent early atherosclerosis, it is crucial to early identify and follow up children with high Lp(a) levels and positive family history of premature coronary disease or other cardiovascular risk factors.

Large Artery Stiffness: A Companion to the 2015 AHA Science Statement on Arterial Stiffness

Large artery stiffness (LAS) has proven to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Nevertheless, the position of current hypertension guidelines regarding the usefulness of assessing LAS differs across different continents. In general, European Guidelines recognize pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a marker of target organ damage but do not recommend its systematic use in general population. Asian guidelines consider PWV as a recommended test at diagnosis of hypertension, in contrast to North American guidelines that do not state any position about its usefulness. However, PWV predicts cardiovascular events, and several studies have shown that it improves risk classification adjusting for established risk factors especially for intermediate-risk patients. Finally, some advances have been made related to treatments affecting LAS. Dietary interventions such as sodium restriction and exercise-based interventions have a modest effect in reducing LAS. Pharmacological interventions, such as statins, or more recent advances with mineralocorticoid blocker seem to have a beneficial effect. Last, controversial effects of renal denervation on LAS have been found. Our goal here is to update the reader on LAS on these areas since the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Statement.

Converting and Standardizing Various Measures of Arterial Stiffness to Pulse Wave Velocity

<b><i>Background:</i></b> A variety of arterial stiffness measures have been used to assess the impacts of disease states and various interventions without clear consensus among them. One of the primary problems faced by investigators conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses is the lack of standardized methodology with a same unit to evaluate and compare investigations using different arterial stiffness measures. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to derive and summarize standardized equations to convert commonly used image-based measures of arterial stiffness to local pulse wave velocity (PWV). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We first conducted a literature search to obtain and summarize conversion equations in the published literature such that these equations can be found in one convenient location. Then, we generated regression equations using the data collected in a well-controlled laboratory-based study, in which all measures of arterial stiffness were obtained in 49 apparently healthy participants. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All literature-based conversion equations produced similar local PWV values and were moderately and significantly correlated with directly measured carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) with a Pearson’s <i>r</i> ranging from 0.41 to 0.50. The local PWV using laboratory-based equations were modestly associated with cfPWV (<i>r</i> = 0.39–0.49) with an exception of incremental elastic modulus (<i>r</i> = 0.15, <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Commonly used measures of ultrasound-based arterial stiffness can be converted to local PWV and compared with a reference standard measure of arterial stiffness.