Association Between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) are common in patients with hypertension and are strong predictors of cardiovascular events. Aim: This study aims to investigate the association between CAC and LVDD in patients with hypertension without coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Consecutive patients with hypertension who underwent echocardiography and non-contrast coronary CT were studied. CAC was quantified using the Agatston score. Patients with a history of CAD, AF or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% were excluded. Characteristics of patients with and without LVDD were compared and the association between LVDD and CAC was evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the predictors of LVDD and high CAC (>median CAC). A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 250 patients were included, with a mean age of 64.3 ± 10.1 years, 59% women and 26.4% had diabetes. The prevalence of LVDD was 64.8% (grade I LVDD 48%; grade II LVDD 16.8%) and the median CAC score was 58.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.7–349.8). Patients with LVDD had a significantly higher median CAC score than those without LVDD (142.8 [IQR 18.8–514.8] versus 5.0 [IQR 0–64.4]; p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that the CAC score was independently associated with LVDD (OR 1.003; 95% CI [1.001–1.004]; p<0.001). Left atrial volume index and E-wave deceleration time were independently associated with high CAC (OR 1.05; 95% CI [1.01–1.09]; p=0.008 and OR 1.008; 95% CI [1.002–1.02]; p=0.01), respectively. Conclusion: CAC scoring was associated with LVDD in patients with hypertension.