Abstract
ObjectiveHypertension (HT) induces left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and an increase in arterial stiffness. In this study, we investigated the association between LA-LV–arterial coupling and nighttime systolic blood pressure (BP) as well as BP circadian rhythm in essential hypertension.MethodsWe enrolled 290 HT patients. All subjects were evaluated by 2- dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE), ambulatory 24 h BP monitoring (ABPM), and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV). According to BP patterns, these patients were divided into two groups, which included dippers (n = 111), patients with a >10% reduction in BP at nighttime; non-dippers (n = 179), patients with a <10% reduction in BP at nighttime. 2D-STE based LA and LV strains were studied and the following parameters were measured, LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LA reservoir strain (LAS−S), LA conduit strain (LAS−E), and LA booster pump strain (LAS−A). LA stiffness index (LASI) defined as the ratio of E/e′ to LAS−S, and PWV-to-GLS ratio (PWV/GLS) were calculated to reflect LA-LV–arterial coupling. Furthermore, we also explored the correlation between LASI (or PWV/GLS) and ambulatory blood pressure indexes.ResultsLeft atrial stiffness index was significantly higher in non-dippers [0.29 (0.21, 0.41)] than in dippers [0.26 (0.21, 0.33)] (P < 0.05). PWV/GLS was significantly higher in non-dippers [−80.9 (−69.3, −101.5)] than in dippers [−74.2 (−60.2, −90.6)] (P < 0.05). LAS−S, LAS−E, LAS−A,and LV GLS were significantly lower in non-dippers than in dippers (P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that nighttime systolic BP was independently correlated with LASI and PWV/GLS, even adjusted for multiple clinical risk factors, LVMI, and LVEF.ConclusionsThe dipping pattern of BP was related to the abnormalities of myocardial mechanics and LA-LV–arterial coupling. However, absolute nocturnal systolic BP value maybe more important than BP circadian profile in the progression of abnormal LA-LV–arterial coupling.
Highlights
All hypertension (HT) guidelines recommend monitoring the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in addition to assessing clinical BP [1–4]
Recent study has shown that left atrial stiffness index (LASI), which is defined as the ratio of transmitral flow velocity in early diastole to mitral annular myocardial velocity (E/e′ )/peak systolic LA strain, is the indicator of both LA stiffness and LA–left ventricular (LV) coupling, and LASI can be recognized as an early marker of target organ damage (TOD) in hypertension [14]
We investigated the correlation of nocturnal hypertension and BP circadian rhythms with LA-LV–arterial coupling and aimed to determine whether BP circadian pattern or absolute value of nighttime BP had a stronger association with LA-LV– arterial coupling
Summary
All hypertension (HT) guidelines recommend monitoring the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in addition to assessing clinical BP [1–4]. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can provide 24 h BP data comprehensively, including daytime BP, nighttime BP, and the BP circadian rhythm. Left ventricle pumping blood into the arterial system depends on dynamic regulation of preload, afterload, and myocardial contractility. In addition to interacting with systemic arteries, left ventricle couples with left atrium. Recent study has shown that left atrial stiffness index (LASI), which is defined as the ratio of transmitral flow velocity in early diastole to mitral annular myocardial velocity (E/e′ )/peak systolic LA strain, is the indicator of both LA stiffness and LA–LV coupling, and LASI can be recognized as an early marker of TOD in hypertension [14]
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